Lipoprotein(A) in cerebral stroke: A review

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] levels may be risk factors for cerebrovascular diseases. Lp(a) can accumulate in the arterial walls of cerebral vessels. This happens because apo(a) can bind proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans and fibronectin, which are important connective tissue elements. Lp(a) is implicated in the activation of endothelial uptake, oxidative modification and foam cell formation, suggesting that these processes could play an important role in atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction represents a common link in many diseases induced by elevated plasma concentrations of Lp(a) ranging from chronic inflammation to atherosclerosis and including ischemic stroke. The role of Lp(a) as a risk factor for ischemic stroke has been assessed in several studies. The results support the hypothesis that elevated Lp(a) is a risk factor for ischemic stroke and especially for stroke caused by large artery atherosclerosis.