Emiliano Salmeri, Servicio de Cardiología de la Clínica OCMI, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Augusto Lavalle-Cobo, Servicio de Cardiología de la Clínica OCMI, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Gonzalo Pérez, Servicio de Cardiología de la Clínica Olivos, Ciudad de Olivos, provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Carolina Chacón, Instituto de Investigaciones Clínicas de Rosario, Instituto Cardiovascular de Rosario, Ciudad de Rosario, provincia de Santa Fe, Argentina
Diana Millán, Servicio de Cardiología de la Clínica del Sol, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Matías Arrupe, Servicio de Cardiología del Hospital Español, Ciudad de Mendoza, provincia de Mendoza, Argentina
Sergio Giménez, Servicio de Cardiología de OSEP, Ciudad de Mendoza, provincia de Mendoza, Argentina
Nicolás Renna, Servicio de Cardiología del Hospital Español, Ciudad de Mendoza, provincia de Mendoza, Argentina
Pablo Corral, Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad FASTA, Ciudad de Mar del Plata, provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Introduction: Elevated lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] is associated with an increase in cardiovascular events. However, it is estimated that its awareness in the medical community is low, even among cardiology specialists. The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of knowledge about Lp(a) that Latin American cardiologists have and how they manage its elevation. Method: Descriptive, cross-sectional study, based on a structured, virtual and anonymous survey, distributed openly to Spanish-speaking cardiologists in digital form. Results: Of 376 cardiologists who answered the survey, only 43.1% determine Lp(a) routinely. Those who do not measure Lp(a) have less knowledge of its structure and clinical impact. Those who measure it tend to take more therapeutic actions in relation to its result. Among professionals who regularly assess Lp(a), the majority prefer to adopt an active pharmacological approach to its elevation, not only in relation to lipid-lowering drugs but also to antiplatelet agents. Conclusions: Only four out of ten participants in this sample of cardiologists from Latin America and Spain determine Lp(a) levels, and those who do take greater therapeutic actions in relation to the findings. The importance of implementing education and awareness strategies in the region is highlighted.
Keywords: Lipoprotein (a). Cardiovascular disease. Lipids.