Intake of alcohol, aspirin, niacin, and estrogen supplements have the potential of causing a misrepresentation of true Lp(a) concentrations.

Gold serum separator (SST) tube

Immediately following collection, thoroughly mix sample by gently inverting 5 times

1. Allow sample to clot for a minimum of 30 minutes
2. Spin within two (2) hours of sample collection

Gold serum separator (SST) tube

Red serum vial/tube, 5 mL

Lavender (EDTA), 4mL

Dk green heparin (Li or Na), no gel

Lt blue Sodium citrate (NaCit) - 2.7mL

Lavender/Dk green/Lt blue:

Immediately following collection, mix sample thoroughly by gently inverting 8 - 10 times, to prevent clotting

Red:

1. Allow sample to clot
2. Spin within two (2) hours of specimen collection
3. Transfer serum to a Transfer vial/tube with cap - 12mL (LabCorp), labelled as serum

Lavender/Dk green/Lt blue:

1. Spin within two (2) hours of specimen collection
2. Transfer plasma to a Transfer vial/tube with cap - 12mL (LabCorp), labelled as the appropriate plasma type

Transfer vial/tube with cap - 12mL (LabCorp)

Refrigerated (preferred) – 14 days

Ambient – 14 days

Frozen – >14 days

Freeze/thaw cycles – stable x 3

• Gross hemolysis
• Gross lipemia
• Icteric specimen

Immunoturbidimetric

<75.0 nmol/L

Values ≥75.0 nmol/L may indicate independent risk factor for CHD.

Measurement of lipoprotein(a) is now recommended in several patient subgroups for whom excess lipoprotein(a) may have important clinical consequences: (1) patients with premature atherosclerosis, (2) patients with a strong family history of premature coronary heart disease (CHD), (3) patients with elevated LDL-C and greater than or equal to two risk factors, (4) patients who have had coronary angioplasty in whom lipoprotein(a) excess may increase the risk of restenosis, and (5) patients who have undergone coronary bypass graft surgery in whom Lp(a) excess may be associated with graft stenosis.

Lipoprotein(a) has been called a powerful predictor of premature atherosclerotic vascular disease. As an independent risk factor for premature coronary artery disease, excess Lp(a) concentrations are associated with an increased risk of cardiac death in patients with acute coronary syndromes and with restenosis after angioplasty (PTCA) and coronary bypass procedures. In general, concentrations greater than or equal to 75 nmol/L of Lp(a) in serum are associated with a two- to sixfold increase in risk, depending on the presence of other risk factors.