The Effect of Lipoprotein (a) on Arterial Stiffness, Endothelial Function and Left Atrial and Left Ventricular Deformation - An Observational Study

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to study the effects of Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), a lipoprotein similar to LDL but with an extra protein called apolipoprotein (a), on cardiovascular health. Elevated Lp(a) levels are linked to increased risk of heart diseases like coronary artery disease, stroke, and aortic valve stenosis by promoting artery hardening and damage. The study will focus on how Lp(a) influences arterial stiffness, the function of blood vessel linings, and the deformation of the heart's left atrium and ventricle over a 12-month period. It will also look at the occurrence of major cardiovascular events and markers of oxidative stress. The study will observe adults aged 18 to 75, dividing them into three groups based on their Lp(a) and total cholesterol levels: those with high Lp(a) and normal cholesterol, those with normal Lp(a) and high cholesterol, and a control group with normal levels for both. Participants will undergo tests at the start, 6 months, and 12 months to measure arterial stiffness using pulse wave velocity devices, endothelial function by examining the lining of small blood vessels with specialized imaging, heart muscle deformation through echocardiographic strain analysis, and oxidative stress by assessing blood markers. Throughout the study, participants will have medical histories taken, physical exams, and blood tests for cholesterol and Lp(a) levels. Researchers will analyze changes in these cardiovascular markers over time and compare them between groups. The main outcomes measured will include differences in arterial stiffness, endothelial thickness, and heart deformation after 12 months. Secondary outcomes include levels of oxidative stress and rates of major cardiovascular events during the study period.

The Effect of Lipoprotein (a) on Arterial Stiffness, Endothelial Function and Myocardial Deformation