Evolving Lipoprotein Risk Factors: Lipoprotein(A) and Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein (Beckman Conference‪)‬

Atherosclerosis is the major cause of cardiovascular disease and death in Western civilizations (1). The atherosclerotic lesion typically comprises fatty streaks that later develop into fibrous plaques. The initial fatty streaks are characterized by the presence of lipid-laden foam cells, mainly macrophage in origin. Fatty streaks may regress or progress via a transitional lesion to fibrous plaques. The fibrous plaque represents the most characteristic lesion of advancing atherosclerosis. The fibrous plaque consists of a fibrous cap made up of smooth muscle cells and dense connective tissue, an underlying cellular layer, and a deeper necrotic core. The fibrous plaque may undergo changes such as calcification, necrosis, hemorrhage, ulceration, or thrombosis to form a complicated lesion. These complicated lesions produce the clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis. Oxidized LDL