LP [a] is one of the most atherogenic lipoproteins consisting of an LDL-like core particle and
a covalently linked glycoprotein of variable size. Due to its structural features, its
heterogeneity and instability, there are great difficulties in standardizing quantitative
immunochemical Lp [a] assays. One particular problem is the preparation of a pure primary
standard, which is sufficiently stable to be used for value assignment of secondary reference
material. Here we describe a method to purify Lp [a] to virtual homogeneity. When mixed …