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Lp-PLA2

Meaning

Lp-PLA2, or Lipoprotein-associated Phospholipase A2, is a specific enzyme primarily carried on Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) particles that functions as a robust, independent biomarker for active vascular inflammation and cardiovascular risk. This enzyme hydrolyzes oxidized phospholipids within the atherosclerotic plaque, generating potent pro-inflammatory mediators that contribute to plaque instability and subsequent rupture. Clinically, elevated levels of Lp-PLA2 are a significant indicator of underlying arterial wall pathology, offering critical predictive value beyond traditional lipid panel measurements for assessing an individual’s silent inflammatory burden and risk of major adverse cardiac events.