Lipoprotein(a) levels and cardiovascular mortality risk in Chinese patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Abstract

Purpose: Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is recognized as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the general population. However, its impact on CVD mortality among Chinese patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) has not been fully established. This study aimed to evaluate the association between Lp(a) levels and both CVD mortality and all-cause mortality in this population.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted involving 200 MHD patients from Beijing Tongren Hospital, analyzed from January 1, 2013, to July 1, 2024. The mortality outcomes included CVD-related and all-cause mortality. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were utilized to assess the impact of Lp(a), while Cox regression analysis and restrict cubic spline were performed to explore associations.

Results: The median follow-up duration was 66.5 months, with 121 deaths recorded (60.5%), of which 66 (54.5%) were due to CVD. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that patients in the highest tertile of Lp(a) levels had the lowest survival for both CVD mortality and all-cause mortality. In multivariable Cox regression, higher Lp(a) levels were independently associated with an increased risk of both CVD mortality and all-cause mortality. The restricted cubic splines regression model showed that the risk of CVD mortality and all-cause mortality increased with rising Lp(a) levels.

Conclusion: Elevated serum Lp(a) levels are independently associated with increased mortality from both CVD and all causes in Chinese MHD patients. These findings indicate that serum Lp(a) may be a significant risk factor for CVD mortality in this population.