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Background and aims <p>In Latin America (LATAM), the level of awareness and clinical implementation of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) testing among physicians remain largely unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, frequency of use, and clinical management practices related to Lp(a) among LATAM physicians.</p> Methods <p>We conducted a cross-sectional, 36-item Spanish-language online survey using convenience sampling through medical societies in twenty LATAM countries. All items were mandatory. The questionnaire included two sections based on whether respondents requested Lp(a) testing and explored barriers among nonusers.</p> Results <p>A total of 512 physicians from various LATAM countries responded, with Mexico representing 75.4% of the participants. Overall, 36.7% of the physicians reported currently requesting Lp(a) testing, primarily in patients with premature cardiovascular diseases (CVD), familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), or recurrent events despite low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) at goal. Among those never ordering Lp(a) testing, the main barriers were lack of availability (57.4%) and high cost (33.6%). Knowledge gaps were identified: Only half of the respondents correctly identified Lp(a) risk thresholds or LDL-C targets. Despite this, most physicians who ordered the Lp(a) test reported taking active measures such as intensifying lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) (90%) and intensifying the management of other CV risk factors (68%) if Lp(a) was &gt; 50&#xa0;mg/dL or 125 nmol/L.</p> Conclusions <p>Awareness and clinical use of Lp(a) testing among LATAM physicians remain limited and focused on high-risk scenarios. Improving test accessibility, providing clearer clinical guidelines, and reinforcing the evidence for Lp(a) as a therapeutic target may enhance its adoption and integration into cardiovascular risk assessment across the region.</p>

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Lp(a) Testing in Latin America: Low Awareness and Clinicalpractice Among Medical Society Physicians Highlight a Missed Opportunity in Cardiovascular Prevention

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月22日

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  • Ivette Cruz-Bautista,
  • Yuscely Flores-Jurado,
  • Antonio Barajas-Martínez,
  • Yulino Castillo-Núñez,
  • Daniel Elías-López,
  • María Alejandra Ramos-Guifarro,
  • Ramon Barrera-Cruz,
  • Lizbeth Ruilova-González,
  • Misael Aguilar-Panduro,
  • Liliana Muñoz-Hernández,
  • Roopa Mehta,
  • Raquel N. Faradji,
  • Eduardo Márquez-Rodríguez,
  • Juan Carlos Garnica-Cuellar,
  • Samantha Gutiérrez-Morales,
  • José de Jesús Garduño-García,
  • José Alberto Ávila-Funes,
  • Arturo Guerra-López,
  • Alejo Diaz-Aragón,
  • Edith Ruiz-Gastelum,
  • Jorge Cossio-Aranda,
  • Raúl Velasco-Solorzano,
  • Pablo Corral,
  • Carlos O. Mendívil,
  • Juan Patricio Nogueira,
  • Mario Morales-Esponda,
  • Carlos Alberto Aguilar -Salinas,
  • CA Aguilar-Salinas,
  • N Caracas-Portilla,
  • PA Carrillo-González,
  • JJ Ceballos-Macias,
  • D Espinoza-Peralta,
  • J Gallegos-Martínez,
  • R Madriz-Prado,
  • R Mehta,
  • B Peña-Aparicio,
  • E Ramírez Cooremans,
  • A Reza-Albarrán,
  • A Romero-Zazueta,
  • L Sauque-Reyna,
  • M Torres-Tamayo,
  • R Zubirán

摘要

Background and aims

In Latin America (LATAM), the level of awareness and clinical implementation of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) testing among physicians remain largely unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, frequency of use, and clinical management practices related to Lp(a) among LATAM physicians.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional, 36-item Spanish-language online survey using convenience sampling through medical societies in twenty LATAM countries. All items were mandatory. The questionnaire included two sections based on whether respondents requested Lp(a) testing and explored barriers among nonusers.

Results

A total of 512 physicians from various LATAM countries responded, with Mexico representing 75.4% of the participants. Overall, 36.7% of the physicians reported currently requesting Lp(a) testing, primarily in patients with premature cardiovascular diseases (CVD), familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), or recurrent events despite low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) at goal. Among those never ordering Lp(a) testing, the main barriers were lack of availability (57.4%) and high cost (33.6%). Knowledge gaps were identified: Only half of the respondents correctly identified Lp(a) risk thresholds or LDL-C targets. Despite this, most physicians who ordered the Lp(a) test reported taking active measures such as intensifying lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) (90%) and intensifying the management of other CV risk factors (68%) if Lp(a) was > 50 mg/dL or 125 nmol/L.

Conclusions

Awareness and clinical use of Lp(a) testing among LATAM physicians remain limited and focused on high-risk scenarios. Improving test accessibility, providing clearer clinical guidelines, and reinforcing the evidence for Lp(a) as a therapeutic target may enhance its adoption and integration into cardiovascular risk assessment across the region.