LIPOPROTEIN (A) LEVELS IN RENAL TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS RECEIVING CYCLOSPORIN MONOTHERAPY

Elevated serum levels of lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] are a known risk factor for coronary heart disease in the general population. We measured the serum concentration of Lp(a) in 63 renal transplant recipients (41 male, 22 female) on cyclosporin monotherapy, and in 137 healthy controls. Serum Lp(a) levels were significantly elevated in the transplant patients with a median of 30.1 (range<0.8 - 140.3) mg/dl compared to 8.19 (rang <0.8 - 87.4) mg/dl in controls. This raised serum level of Lp(a) may contribute to the excessive cardiovascular morbidity that occurs following renal transplantation.