Lp(a) Lipoprotein — Coping with Heterogeneity

In persons who are fasting, lipids circulate in the plasma as constituents of lipoprotein particles that are defined on the basis of their density as very-low-, intermediate-, low-, and high-density lipoproteins. The lipoproteins categorized as very-low, low, and intermediate density, although differing in the content and composition of their lipid core, have in common 1 mol of apolipoprotein B-100 per particle. Subclasses that have special biologic importance have been recognized, such as the small, dense low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles, which have greater atherogenic potential than their large, buoyant counterparts. In addition to LDL, the plasma contains particles, called Lp(a) lipoprotein, . . .