Variability of Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2 Measurements

We read with interest the recent report in this journal by Khuseyinova and colleagues regarding the variability of serial lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) measurements in postmyocardial infarction patients(1). Because Lp-PLA2 plays a role in inflammation but, unlike other inflammatory proteins, is not an acute-phase reactant(2), nonspecificity issues associated with acute-phase reactants may be averted. Indeed, recent reviews verify that several epidemiologic studies have demonstrated a strong association between Lp-PLA2 and ischemic events(2)(3)(4). Thus, as indicated by Khuseyinova and colleagues, Lp-PLA2 appears to be a promising emerging biomarker for coronary heart disease and stroke. We applaud the effort of this group to evaluate the performance of Lp-PLA2 measurements.With all assay development, multiple iterations of assays are often developed before a given …