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Heart CT scans in relatives with high or low Lp(a) levels

Compares heart CT scans in relatives with high or low Lp(a) cholesterol.

Key facts

Who runs it
E.S.stroes
Where
Amsterdam, NetherlandsSee the site
Trial code
Registry title
Heart CT Imaging to Detect Early Coronary Artery Disease in First-Degree Relatives With High or Low Lipoprotein(a) Identified Through Family Screening
Status
Recruiting
People taking part
150 people, planned
Started
Jun 2025
Expected to end
31 Dec 2026
Type of study
Observational, 2 groups
Record updated
29 May 2025

Who can take part

AI summary

From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.

The trial is looking for relatives of people with high Lp(a), found through family screening at Amsterdam UMC. It compares people with high Lp(a) to people with low Lp(a) using heart CT scans.

Age
50 years or older
Sex
Men and women
Disease stage
No history of heart or blood vessel disease caused by atherosclerosis (such as heart attack, angina, stroke or peripheral artery disease).
Earlier treatment
Must not have used statins before or now.
Biomarker or test result
High Lp(a) group: Lp(a) level of 150 nmol/L or more. Low Lp(a) group: Lp(a) level below 50 nmol/L.

Main reasons for not taking part

  • Kidney problems with eGFR below 30 ml/min
  • History of heart or blood vessel disease from atherosclerosis
  • History of atrial fibrillation
  • Past or current use of statins
  • Unable to give consent or follow the study requirements

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 18 criteriaShow less

Other criteria

  • In order to be eligible to participate in this study in the elevated Lp(a) subgroup, a subject must meet all of the following inclusion criteria:
  • Man or woman ≥50 years of age
  • Lp(a) level ≥ 150 nmol/L
  • Identified as having elevated Lp(a) through Lp(a) family cascade screening at the Amsterdam UMC Vascular Medicine outpatient clinic
  • Able and willing to provide informed consent
  • Able to comply with study requirements; In order to be eligible to participate in this study in the Low Lp(a) subgroup, a subject must meet all of the following inclusion criteria:
  • Man or woman ≥50 years of age
  • Lp(a) level < 50 nmol/L
  • Identified as having elevated Lp(a) through Lp(a) family cascade screening at the Amsterdam UMC Vascular Medicine outpatient clinic
  • Able and willing to provide informed consent
  • Able to comply with study requirements; A potential subject who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study (both subgroups):
  • Renal insufficiency, defined as eGFR < 30 ml/min
  • History of ASCVD (acute coronary syndrome, history of myocardial infarction, stable or unstable angina pectoris or coronary or other arterial revascularization, stroke, transient ischemic attack or peripheral artery disease including aortic aneurysm, all of atherosclerotic origin)
  • History of atrial fibrillation
  • Prior and current use of statins
  • Any other treatment or clinically relevant condition that could interfere with the conduct or interpretation of the study in the opinion of the investigator
  • Unable or unwilling to provide informed consent
  • Unable to comply with study requirements

Where in Netherlands

  • Amsterdam UMCAmsterdam, NetherlandsContact: Maxim E Annink, MD MSc LLMTaking people

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is a type of cholesterol that can increase the risk of heart and blood vessel disease. Many people are unaware they have high Lp(a), since it is not routinely measured and usually causes no symptoms on its own. However, elevated Lp(a) levels tend to run in families, meaning that close relatives of individuals with high Lp(a) are more likely to have it as well.

Read full original descriptionShow less

At Amsterdam UMC, family members of patients with high Lp(a) are invited for cascade screening, which includes testing for Lp(a) and other cardiovascular risk factors. From this screened group, a selection of individuals with either high or low Lp(a) levels are invited to participate in the IMAGE-LPA study.

In IMAGE-LPA, participants undergo a comprehensive cardiovascular evaluation, including blood tests and heart imaging using CT scans. Two types of scans are performed: (1) a calcium score scan to detect early calcium buildup in the heart's arteries (an early marker of atherosclerosis), and (2) coronary CT angiography to assess for plaque and narrowing in the coronary arteries.

The goal of the study is to compare individuals with high versus low Lp(a) identified through cascade screening, to determine whether high Lp(a) levels are associated with early signs of heart disease in this patient group.

The study does not involve any medications or invasive procedures. The findings may help clarify whether heart imaging can improve early detection in individuals with high Lp(a), and guide future strategies for preventing cardiovascular disease in families affected by this inherited risk factor.

The 2 groups in the trial

  • High Lp(a)

    Individuals aged 50 years or older who were identified with elevated Lipoprotein(a) levels (≥150 nmol/L) through familial cascade screening at the Amsterdam UMC Vascular Medicine outpatient clinic. These participants have no history of clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and are undergoing imaging to assess subclinical coronary atherosclerosis.

  • Low Lp(a)

    Age- and sex-matched individuals aged 50 years or older with normal Lipoprotein(a) levels (\<50 nmol/L), identified through the same familial cascade screening program. These participants also have no history of clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and serve as controls to compare the prevalence of subclinical coronary plaque.

Questions to ask the study team

  1. How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
  2. Are travel costs paid?
  3. Can I keep my own doctor?
  4. What happens if I want to stop?

Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations

Print a page for my doctor

Data and sources

Registry record
Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Official title
Improved Assessment of Cardiovascular Risk Through Imaging in Relatives Identified By Lipoprotein(a) Cascade Screening
Plain-language title
Heart CT scans in relatives with high or low Lp(a) levelsGenerated from the registry record. The registry title is the official one.
AI summary
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Read by machine on 12 November 2026.
Record updated
29 May 2025