Genetic Testing for Lipoprotein A Variant as a Decision Aid for Aspirin Treatment and/or CVD Risk Assessment - CAM 344

Description
Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is a type of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) that consists of a cholesterol bearing LDL-like particle (apolipoprotein B-100) bound to the plasminogen-like glycoprotein apolipoprotein(a) (apo(a)) (Lu et al., 2015; Schmidt et al., 2016) and has been associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) (Tsimikas et al., 2018). Genetic variants of the Lp(a) gene, LPA, (rs3798220 and rs10455872) have been significantly associated with Lp(a) levels (Lu et al., 2015) and could serve as indicators of CVD risk (Lee et al., 2017). The genetic variant rs3798220 was found to have a higher risk for thrombosis and therefore may derive more benefit from the anti-thrombotic properties of aspirin (Chasman et al., 2009). As a result, testing for the rs3798220 variant has been proposed as a method of stratifying benefit from aspirin treatment (Shiffman et al., 2012).

This policy only addresses the detection of specific genetic variants of Lp(a) as a decision aid for aspirin therapy or CVD risk.

For information on serum measurement of Lp(a) levels see CAM 188 Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment.

For information on testing for salicylate resistance see CAM 031 Measurement of Thromboxane Metabolites for ASA Resistance.

Background  
LIPOPROTEIN(A)
Extensive epidemiologic evidence has determined that lipoprotein(a) (LPA) blood level is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The overall risk associated with LPA appears to be modest, and the degree of risk may be mediated by other factors such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels and/or hormonal status.

Over time, a person’s LPA levels remain relatively stable; however, levels have been known to vary up to 1,000-fold between different people, and this is most likely due to genetics. A single-nucleotide variant in the LPA gene, LPA rs3798220, has been associated with both elevated LPA levels and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This variant substitutes methionine for isoleucine at amino acid position 4399 and is also called I4399M. Mendelian randomization studies have supported the hypothesis that this genetic variant, and the subsequent increase in LPA levels, are causative of cardiovascular disease.

Aspirin is a well-established treatment for patients with known coronary artery disease. It also is prescribed as primary prevention for some patients who are at increased risk of coronary artery disease. Current recommendations for primary prevention consider the future risk of cardiovascular events weighed against the bleeding risk of aspirin. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force 2009 Guidelines recommended aspirin for men between the ages of 45 and 79 years when the benefit in reducing myocardial infarction exceeds the risk of bleeding, particularly gastrointestinal hemorrhage; and for women between the ages of 55 and 79 years when the benefit in reducing stroke exceeds the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.1 Given such guidelines that recommend individualizing the risk-benefit ratio of aspirin therapy, additional tools that would aid in better defining the benefits of aspirin, and/or the risk of bleeding, have potential utility for clinicians who are making decisions about aspirin therapy.

LPA Aspirin Genotype is a commercially available genetic test (Berkeley HeartLab, a Quest Diagnostics service) that detects the presence of the rs3798220 allele. Patients with a positive test for rs3798220 have a higher risk for thrombosis and therefore may derive more benefit from the antithrombotic properties of aspirin. It has been proposed that the additional information obtained from the LPA Aspirin Check® test may aid physicians in better estimating the benefit/risk of aspirin therapy and therefore may aid in deciding whether to prescribe aspirin for individual patients. 

Regulatory Status
The LPA-Aspirin Check® test has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Thus, genotyping is offered as a laboratory-developed test. Clinical laboratories may develop and validate tests in-house (“home-brew”) and market them as a laboratory service. Such tests must meet general regulatory standards of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA).The laboratory offering the service must be licensed by CLIA for high-complexity testing. Berkeley HeartLab is a CLIA-certified laboratory.

Policy
The following does not meet coverage criteria due to a lack of available published scientific literature confirming that the test(s) is/are required and beneficial for the diagnosis and treatment of a patient’s illness.

  1. Genetic testing for LPA variant(s) (e.g., LPA-Aspirin Check® and Cardio IQ® LPA Aspirin Genotype) is considered NOT MEDICALLY NECESSARY.

Policy Guidelines
GENETIC COUNSELING
Experts recommend formal genetic counseling for patients who are at risk for inherited disorders and who wish to undergo genetic testing. Interpreting the results of genetic tests and understanding risk factors can be difficult for some patients; genetic counseling helps individuals understand the impact of genetic testing, including the possible effects the test results could have on the individual or their family members. It should be noted that genetic counseling may alter the utilization of genetic testing substantially and may reduce inappropriate testing; further, genetic counseling should be performed by an individual with experience and expertise in genetic medicine and genetic testing methods.

CODING
There is no specific CPT code for this test. The unlisted molecular pathology code 81479 would be reported.

Table of Terminology 

Term

Definition

AACE

American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists

ACC

American College of Cardiology

ACE

American College of Endocrinology

AHA

American Heart Association

apo(a)

Apolipoprotein(A)

APOE

Apolipoprotein E

AS

Aortic stenosis

ASCP

American Society for Clinical Pathology

ASCVD

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

BMI

Body mass index

CAC

Coronary artery calcification

CAVD

Calcific aortic stenosis

CAVD

Calcific aortic valve disease

CHD

Coronary heart disease

CLIA ’88

Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988

CMS

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

CNVs

Copy number variants

CV

Cardiovascular

CVD

Cardiovascular Disease

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid

EAS

European Atherosclerosis Society

ESC

The European Society for Cardiology

FDA

Food and Drug Administration

FH

Familial hypercholesterolemia

HDL

High-density lipoprotein

KIV

Kringle (five cysteine-rich domains) IV

LDL

Low-density lipoprotein

LDL-C

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol

LDT

Laboratory developed test

LDTs

Laboratory-developed tests

LPA

Lipoprotein(a)

Lp(a)

Lipoprotein(a)

MI

Myocardial infarctions

NHLBI

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

NLA

The National Lipid Association

PCI

Percutaneous coronary intervention

PCSK9

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9

PSA

Prostate specific antigen

SNP

Single nucleotide polymorphism

SNPs

Single nucleotide polymorphisms

USPSTF

United States Preventive Services Task Force

 

Rationale
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality; with over 11.5% of American adults (27.6 million) diagnosed with heart disease, it claims more lives each year than cancer and chronic lower respiratory disease combined (Benjamin et al., 2018). While progression of CVD is multifactorial, pathophysiological, and epidemiological, genetic studies have provided substantial evidence that Lp(a) is a causal risk factor contributing to CVD (Rosenson et al., 2023). Lp(a) is also elevated in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, further increasing atherosclerotic CVD risk in that disease setting (Rosenson et al., 2023). The physiological role of Lp(a) is to bind and transport proinflammatory oxidized phospholipids in plasma, but its key relation to CVD has been the involvement in atherothrombosis, from the formation of an atherosclerotic plaque through inducing expression of inflammatory mediators and increasing foam formation, to thrombosis following plaque rupture (Fras, 2020). Independent of any other risk factors, Lp(a) was positively associated with increased risk of myocardial infarctions (MI) as well (Paré et al., 2019).

Since first described by Berg (1963) as a genetic trait increased in patients with coronary heart disease (Berg et al., 1974), Lp(a) has been characterized as a type of LDL consisting of apolipoprotein B-100 covalently bound to apolipoprotein(a) (Steyrer et al., 1994). Lipoprotein(a) levels are 75% to 95% heritable and predominately determined by single-nucleotide variants at the LPA gene and copy number variants (CNVs) in the kringle IV type 2 domain (Trinder et al., 2021). The plasma level and size of Lp(a) are regulated through strict genetic control by the apo(a) gene (LPA) on chromosome 6q26-27 with some influence from the APOE locus (Erhart et al., 2018; Lu et al., 2015; Moriarty et al., 2017). The LPA gene is highly polymorphic based on the number of kringle (five cysteine-rich domains) IV (KIV) repeats, therefore encoding >40 apo(a) isoforms (Marcovina et al., 1996) of varying molecular weights (Rosenson et al., 2023). 

As it is genetically controlled, the concentration of Lp(a) is generally stable, correlates inversely with molecular size (smaller size correlating with higher serum levels), and is minimally influenced by age, weight, and diet (Enkhmaa et al., 2016; Tregouet et al., 2009). Genetic variants of apo(a) have been found to have predictive value in coronary heart disease (CHD) (Anderson et al., 2013; Cairns et al., 2017; Helgadottir et al., 2012; Lee et al., 2017; Zekavat et al., 2018; Zewinger et al., 2017). Beyond CHD, genetically lowered Lp(a) is also associated with a lower risk of peripheral vascular disease, stroke, heart failure, and aortic stenosis (Emdin et al., 2016).

The prevalence and association of these genetic variants with apo(a) size and Lp(a) levels are highly variable and ethnicity-specific. Out of 118 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified, rs3798220 is most prevalent in Hispanic people (42.38%), rs10455872 in white people (14.27%), and rs9457951 in Black people (32.92%). In Hispanics, the rs3798220 variant was associated with large isoforms and lower Lp(a) levels, but in white people, this variant was associated with very small isoforms and higher Lp(a) levels (Lee et al., 2017). In a separate study that analyzed the relationship between Lp(a) concentration and risk of MI, Paré et al. (2019) found that the clinical use of Lp(a) concentrations for interventions to reduce MI risk would be useful among diverse populations, especially South Asians and Latin Americans, but not Africans or Arabs since there was an insignificant association between high Lp(a) concentration and MI risk in these populations (Paré et al., 2019). 

Although its biology and pathophysiology are still incompletely understood (Tsimikas et al., 2018), Lp(a) is recognized as both atherogenic (Grainger et al., 1993; Hajjar et al., 1989; Helgadottir et al., 2012) and thrombogenic (Caplice et al., 2001; Marcovina & Koschinsky, 2003), possibly due to its structural homology with plasminogen (Hancock et al., 2003; McLean et al., 1987). It is thought that Lp(a) could compete with plasminogen for fibrin binding, ultimately resulting in impaired fibrinolysis (Hervio et al., 1995). 

A specific SNP in the LPA gene (rs3798220) results in an isoleucine-to-methionine substitution within the inactive protease domain, triggering a smaller number of kringle IV repeats, elevated Lp(a) levels, and a greater risk for CVD (Clarke et al., 2009; Helgadottir et al., 2012; Luke et al., 2007). This amino acid substitution (I4399M) has been studied for its effects on coagulation, fibrinolysis, and overall fibrin cloth structure (Scipione et al., 2017). 

Carriers of either the rs3798220 or rs10455872 variant were found to have no difference in plasminogen concentration or clot lysis time (Wang et al., 2016). The I4399M variant was found to accelerate the coagulation of plasma clots in vitro, therefore suggesting that those with this variant may benefit from the anti-thrombotic properties of aspirin (Scipione et al., 2017). Further, a difference in phenotypic expression between different ethnic groups has been found. Among non-Caucasians, carriers of the rs3798220 variant had increased clot permeability and shorter lysis time, whereas among Caucasians, the trend was for decreased permeability and longer lysis time (Rowland et al., 2014). A correlation was identified between the I4399M variant and both elevated plasma Lp(a) levels and an increased risk of CHD; carriers of this variant in population studies also showed an increased benefit of aspirin therapy (Scipione et al., 2017).

Clinical Utility and Validity 
The additional information obtained from the testing for Lp(a) genotype may aid physicians in better estimating the benefit/risk of aspirin therapy and therefore aid in deciding whether to prescribe aspirin for individual patients. LPA genotyping in the context of the aspirin use guidelines for primary prevention of CVD was found to be potentially cost-effective (Shiffman et al., 2012). However, traditional plasma-based hemostasis-thrombosis laboratory testing may be more effective at managing venous thrombotic disease than a single DNA variant with a small effect size and no established mechanism linking aspirin with Lp(a) (Nagalla & Bray, 2016).

After a randomized trial of low-dose aspirin, the authors found that rs3798220 was associated with elevated Lp(a) and doubled CVD risk that could be attenuated by aspirin; carriers appeared to benefit more from aspirin than non-carriers (Chasman et al., 2009).

Ozkan et al. (2019) have recently shown that Lp(a) gene polymorphisms play a role in the development of calcific aortic stenosis or calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). Blood samples were taken from 75 patients previously diagnosed with CAVD and 77 healthy controls, and results showed that “A significant association among smoking, elevated LDL level and creatinine, low albumin levels, Lp(a) level, rs10455872, and rs3798220 polymorphisms may be considered genetic risk factors for the development of calcific aortic stenosis” (Ozkan et al., 2019). However, even with a strong statistically significant relationship between the Lp(a) gene polymorphisms (rs10455872 and rs3798220) and CAVD, this study contained a relatively small sample size, suggesting that more research needs to be completed to validate these results. This research has been corroborated by Pechlivanis et al. (2020) who demonstrated that the rs10455872 SNP has a statistically significant association with coronary artery calcification, a predictor of coronary artery disease (Pechlivanis et al., 2020).

A large-scale study with 44,703 participants of European descent was completed, and a relationship was identified between two Lp(a) variants (rs10455872 and rs3798220) and aortic stenosis (AS) development (Chen et al., 2018). While a relationship between both of these Lp(a) variants has already been established in regard to circulating Lp(a) plasma levels and a high Lp(a) risk score, these data seem to confirm the association between these Lp(a) variants and valvular or cardiac disease events. Final results from this study showed that the participants with these two high-risk alleles had a twice or greater chance of developing AS; however, it must be noted that participants with AS were on average older than the controls, meaning that some controls could still develop AS (Chen et al., 2018).

Mu-Han-Ha-Li et al. (2018) conducted a study with 1,863 Chinese patients with very high CVD risk (as identified on coronary angiography) to analyze the connection between Lp(a) levels and the risks of CVD and diabetes. Researchers concluded that a high number of LPA KIV type 2 repeats, and therefore lower serum Lp(a) levels, is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes in a Chinese population with high CVD risk. This data suggests that a large Lp(a) isoform size, and thus low Lp(a) concentration, can have a causal effect on type 2 diabetes (Mu-Han-Ha-Li et al., 2018). With this novel association, it becomes essential for genetic testing of LPA gene variants to not only follow up on CVD risk to assess benefit from aspirin therapy, but for the possible latter development of comorbidities like type two diabetes.

Additional researchers have identified a potential relationship between Lp(a) SNPs and a high inflammatory response that may result in an increased CVD risk in pregnant individuals. Tuten et al. (2019) analyzed data from 200 pregnant Turkish individuals, evaluating 14 different Lp(a) SNPs. Results found that two of the Lp(a) SNPs, rs9355296 and rs3798220, were identified as risk factors for preeclampsia, and that rs9355296 carriers reported higher vascular inflammatory rates (Tuten et al., 2019). These results suggest that specific Lp(a) variants may possibly be used as biomarkers for future cardiovascular events and inflammation.

Moreover, Wang and Zhang (2019) showed that high Lp(a) levels are associated with adverse clinicopathological features in prostate cancer patients. Patients with a prostate specific antigen (PSA) level ≥ 100 ng/ml had significantly higher Lp(a) levels; this was believed to be a result of compensatory mechanisms to chronic inflammation caused by tumor aggressiveness and invasion. The researchers also found that the percentage of metastases increased with elevation in Lp(a) level, while body mass index (BMI) decreased with the Lp(a) elevation. The increased metastasis in the setting of high Lp(a) levels was believed to be due to facilitated formations of fibrin networks (apo(a), a part of Lp(a), has structural homologues to kringle IV in plasminogen, which normally induces fibrinolysis) and thrombus formation that allowed for cancer cell adhesion (Wang & Zhang, 2019). Genetic testing for Lp(a) may not only benefit CVD risk assessment with aspirin therapy considerations, but also may have implications for cancer development and treatment.

Pechlivanis et al. (2020) studied the association of LPA gene variants (rs10455872 and rs3798220) and IL1F9 (rs13415097) with coronary artery calcification (CAC). LPA levels from 3799 patients were analyzed using linear regression models to explore the association between the variants and CAC. The LPA SNP rs10455872 showed a statistically significant association with CAC. The results of this study show that "rs10455872, mediated by Lp(a) levels, might play a role in promoting the development of atherosclerosis leading to cardiovascular disease events” (Pechlivanis et al., 2020).

In a prospective study, Yoon et al. (2021) studied the association of LPA with recurrent ischemic events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Baseline LPA levels from 12,064 patients who underwent PCI were studied. A total of 3,747 (31.1%) patients had high Lp(a) (> 30 mg/dL) and 8,317 (68.9%) patients had low Lp(a) (≤ 30 mg/dL). After a seven-year follow-up, 2.0 per 100 person-years in the high-LPA group experienced CV death, spontaneous myocardial infarction, and ischemic stroke compared to 1.6 per 100 person-years in the low-Lp(a) group. Overall, the authors conclude that "Elevated levels of Lp(a) were significantly associated with the recurrent ischemic events in patients who underwent PCI" which provides a rationale to test LPA lowering therapy for secondary prevention in patients undergoing PCI (Yoon et al., 2021).

Murdock et al. (2021) developed a panel test for genes associated with CVD that included an evaluation of LPA polymorphisms. The authors studied 709 patients from cardiology clinics. In total, “32% of patients had a genetic finding with clinical management implications.” LPA polymorphisms were found in 20% of patients, which lead to “diet, lifestyle, and other changes.” The authors concluded that the results “support the use of genetic information in routine cardiovascular health management” (Murdock et al., 2021).Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and elevated plasma Lp(a) are both inherited conditions associated with ASCVD. Chakraborty et al. (2022) studied the detection of elevated Lp(a) during cascade testing of relatives of people diagnosed with FH. The authors used an immunoassay to test for FH and Lp(a) in 162 people. The prevalence of FH and elevated Lp(a) was 60.5% in adults (n=136) and 41.1% in children (n=26). The proportion of relatives with elevated Lp(a) was higher when they had relatives with Lp(a) ≥100 mg/dL than relatives with Lp(a) between 50 and 99 mg/dL. The authors concluded that duel testing of families for FH and high Lp(a) from appropriate relatives can detect new cases of FH, and elevated Lp(a) with or without FH. Lastly, the authors note that “the findings accord with the co-dominant and independent heritability of FH and Lp(a)” (Chakraborty et al., 2022).

Gu et al. (2022) investigated whether elevated Lp(a) and two corresponding LPA polymorphisms played a role in the prediction of cardiovascular events. The authors enrolled 2766 individuals from Peking University People’s Hospital. The study included a cohort with coronary heart disease and a separate control group. The authors demonstrated that Lp(a) level and the amount of LPA SNPs were associated with the risk and severity of coronary heart disease. The rs6415084 and rs12194138 polymorphisms were particularly associated with serum Lp(a) levels. The authors concluded via univariate logistic regression analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis that, “These data together indicated that the level of Lp(a) and the prevalence of LPA SNPs rs6415084 (CT/TT) and rs12194138 (AT/TT) is positively correlated with the severity of CHD” (Gu et al., 2022).

American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) and American College of Endocrinology (ACE) 
The AACE/ACE published guidelines for the management of Dyslipidemia and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease (Jellinger et al., 2017) which state:

“Testing for lipoprotein(a) is therefore not generally recommended, although it may provide useful information to ascribe risk in Caucasians with ASCVD, those with an unexplained family history of early ASCVD, or those with unknown family history such as adopted individuals.”

In 2020, the AACE and ACE released a consensus statement for the management of Dyslipidemia and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and provided recommendations for the assessment and management of elevated Lipoprotein (a). Within this statement, they recommend measuring Lp(a) in patients with a family history of premature ASCVD and/or increased Lp(a) and all patients with premature or recurrent ASCVD despite LDL-C lowering (Handelsman et al., 2020). 

Genetic screening for Lp(a) variants is not mentioned.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) 
The NHLBI published Working Group Recommendations to Reduce Lipoprotein(a)-Mediated Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Aortic Stenosis (Tsimikas et al., 2018) which endorsed the European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society, Canadian Cardiovascular Society, and National Lipid Association Guidelines while making additional specific recommendations to facilitate basic, mechanistic, preclinical, and clinical research on Lp(a).

Genetic screening for Lp(a) variants is not mentioned (Tsimikas et al., 2018).

American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHH) 
 In 2019, the ACC and AHA released guidelines on the primary prevention of CVD. The guidelines list “Risk-Enhancing Factors for Clinician–Patient Risk Discussion” which include Lp(a) as a “lipid/biomarker associated with increased atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk.” The guidelines note, “elevated Lp(a): A relative indication for its measurement is family history of premature ASCVD. An Lp(a) ≥ 50 mg/dL or ≥ 125 nmol/L constitutes a risk-enhancing factor, especially at higher levels of Lp(a)” (Arnett et al., 2019).

In 2022, the AHA released a scientific statement about Lp(a) that supports the ACC/AHH joint guidelines. The statement also includes recommendations on how and when Lp(a) testing should be performed. “At present, the evidence in favor of screening for Lp(a) is the strongest for those with a family or personal history of ASCVD, with consideration of cascade screening in appropriate individuals” (Reyes-Soffer et al., 2022).

Genetic screening for Lp(a) variants is not mentioned (Reyes-Soffer et al., 2022).

The National Lipid Association (NLA) 
The NLA considers Lp(a) to be an important clinical biomarker and risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. It is stated that a main obstacle towards the clinical use of Lp(a) is that measurements and various other targeted levels have not yet been standardized in the industry; for example, several of the available assays are reporting results in differing units, such as in mass instead of concentration (Wilson et al., 2019). Based on current data, Wilson et al. (2019) has stated that Lp(a) testing in clinical practice is reasonable for select individuals with the qualifications listed below:

  •  
  • Adults older than 20 years with a family history of premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD)
  • “Individuals with premature ASCVD (55y of age in men; 65 y of age in women), particularly in the absence of traditional risk factors
  • Individuals with primary severe hypercholesterolemia (LDL-C ≥ 190 mg/dL) or suspected FH
  • Individuals at very-high-risk of ASCVD to better define those who are more likely to benefit from PCSK9 inhibitor therapy”

Wilson et al. (2019) also stated that Lp(a) testing may be reasonable in patients with: 

  •  
  • “Intermediate (7.5% – 19.9%) 10-y ASCVD risk when the decision to use a statin is uncertain, to improve risk stratification in primary prevention
  • Borderline (5% – 7.4%) 10-y ASCVD risk when the decision to use a statin is uncertain, to improve risk stratification in primary prevention
  • Less-than-anticipated LDL-C lowering, despite good adherence to LDL-C lowering therapy
  • A family history of elevated Lp(a)
  •  Calcific valvular aortic stenosis
  • Recurrent or progressive ASCVD, despite optimal lipid-lowering therapy”

In 2022 scientific statement, the NLA writes:

  • “Lp(a) testing is reasonable to refine risk assessment for ASCVD events in adults with:
    • First-degree relatives with premature ASCVD (< 55 y of age in men; < 65 y of age in women).
    • A personal history of premature ASCVD.
    • Primary severe hypercholesterolemia (LDL-C ≥190 mg/dL) or suspected FH.
  • Lp(a) testing may be reasonable in adults:
    • To aid in the clinician-patient discussion about whether to prescribe a statin in those aged 40 – 75 y with borderline (5% – 7.4%) 10-y ASCVD risk.
    • To identify a possible cause for a less-than-anticipated LDL-C lowering to evidence-based LDL-C-lowering therapy.
    • To use in cascade screening of family members with severe hypercholesterolemia.
    • To identify those at risk for progressive [valvular aortic stenosis]” (Wilson et al., 2022)

Genetic screening for Lp(a) variants is not mentioned in the NLA’s official guidelines (NLA, 2022).

The European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) 
In a 2022 update, the European Atherosclerosis Society recommends testing Lp(a) concentration at least once per lifetime in adults. The EAS also suggests measurement of Lp(a) in youth with a (1) history of ischemic stroke or a (2) family history of premature ASCVD or (3) elevated Lp(a) level and no other known risk factors.

The consensus statement suggests other testing may have value under certain conditions. “Cascade testing has potential value in familial hypercholesterolaemia, or with family or personal history of (very) high Lp(a) or premature ASCVD. Without specific Lp(a)-lowering therapies, early intensive risk factor management is recommended, targeted according to global cardiovascular risk and Lp(a) level” (Kronenberg et al., 2022).

Under a subtitle posing the question “Is there a role for genetic testing?” the authors write: “Measurement of Lp(a) concentration is sufficient for Lp(a)-related risk estimation without the need for genotyping, polygenic risk scores, or investigation of expressed apo(a) isoform sizes” (Kronenberg et al., 2022).

The European Society for Cardiology (ESC) and European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) Joint Guideline
The ESC and EAS published a joint guideline for the Management of Dyslipidemias which recommends: 

  • “Lp(a) measurement should be considered at least once in each adult person’s lifetime to identify those with very high inherited Lp(a) levels > 180mg/dL (> 430 nmol/L) who may have a lifetime risk of ASCVD equivalent to the risk associated with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (Level of Recommendation: C)
  • Lp(a) should be considered in selected patients with a family history of premature CVD, and for reclassification in people who are borderline between moderate and high-risk (Level of Recommendation: C)” (Mach et al., 2019).

Genetic screening for Lp(a) variants is not mentioned (Mach et al., 2019).

HEART UK Medical, Scientific, and Research Committee 
HEART UK published guidelines for Lp(a) measurement in specific adult populations. HEART UK recommends that Lp(a) is measured in adults as follows: “1) those with a personal or family history of premature atherosclerotic CVD; 2) those with first-degree relatives who have Lp(a) levels >200 nmol/l; 3) patients with familial hypercholesterolemia; 4) patients with calcific aortic valve stenosis and 5) those with borderline (but <15%) 10-year risk of a cardiovascular event” (Cegla et al., 2019).

On genetic testing for Lp(a) levels, the guideline also noted, “Genetic testing for SNPs associated with serum Lp(a) levels is not currently advocated for in routine clinical practice” (Cegla et al., 2019).

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) 
The USPSTF 2022 guidelines on aspirin use to prevent cardiovascular disease do not mention Lp(a) or genetic screening for Lp(a) (Guirguis-Blake et al., 2016; USPSTF, 2022).
 

References  

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Coding Section

Codes Number Description
CPT   No specific code (see Policy Guidelines)
ICD-9-CM Diagnosis   Investigational for all relevant diagnoses
ICD-10-CM (effective 10/01/15) E78.00-E78.9  Disorders of lipoprotein metabolism and other lipidemias
  E88.81 Metabolic syndrome
  I20.0-I25.9 Ischemic heart diseases
ICD-10-PCS (effective 10/01/15)   Not applicable. ICD-10-PCS codes are only used for inpatient services. There are no ICD procedure codes for laboratory tests.

Procedure and diagnosis codes on Medical Policy documents are included only as a general reference tool for each policy. They may not be all-inclusive. 

This medical policy was developed through consideration of peer-reviewed medical literature generally recognized by the relevant medical community, U.S. FDA approval status, nationally accepted standards of medical practice and accepted standards of medical practice in this community, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association technology assessment program (TEC) and other nonaffiliated technology evaluation centers, reference to federal regulations, other plan medical policies and accredited national guidelines.

"Current Procedural Terminology © American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved" 

History From 2014 Forward     

01/17/2024 Annual review, no change to policy intent. Updating rationale and references
01/23/2023 Annual review, no change to policy intent. Policy verbiage updated for clarity. Also updating description, rationale and references.

01/14/2022 

Annual review, no change to policy intent. Updating policy number, rationale and references. 

01/01/2021 

Annual review, no change to policy intent. Updating description, rationale and references. 

01/01/2020 

Annual review, no change to policy intent. 

01/09/2019 

Annual review, updating title for clarity. Adding investigational statement regarding Lp(a). Updating ICD coding. 

01/25/2018 

Annual review, no change to policy intent. Updating background, description, guidelines (with coding), rationale and references.. 

04/26/2017 

Annual review, no change to policy intent. Updated to laboratory category and review date. 

05/11/2016 

Annual review, no change to policy intent. Updating background, description, rationale and references. 

06/01/2015 

Annual review, no change to policy intent. Updating background, description, rationale and references. Adding FDA status, coding and guidelines. 

05/26/2014

Annual review. Updated rationale and references. Added related policies. No change to policy intent. 

 

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