['Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) (Lp-PLA(2)) has been suggested as an independent predictor of cardiovascular events in epidemiological studies. We sought to evaluate Lp-PLA(2) as a risk factor for future cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and to elucidate the relationship between Lp-PLA(2) and other known risk markers in ACS patients and healthy control subjects.', 'Blood samples were obtained at randomization in a random subset of ACS patients in the FRISC II (n = 1362) and GUSTO IV (n = 904) studies and in 435 apparently healthy controls of similar age and gender. Median Lp-PLA(2) (mass) levels were 305 ng/mL (FRISC II), 373 ng/mL (GUSTO IV), and 254 ng/mL (healthy controls). Time delay from symptom onset did not influence Lp-PLA(2) levels. In the FRISC II patients and healthy controls, Lp-PLA(2) was significantly correlated with cholesterol (r = 0.3), low-density lipoprotein (r = 0.4 and r = 0.3, respectively), and C-reactive protein (r = 0.08 and r = 0.1, respectively), all P < 0.01. Lp-PLA(2) was not correlated with age, interleukin-6, troponin T, or NT-proBNP in any of the three cohorts. There was no difference in the composite of death and myocardial infarction at 30 days (GUSTO IV) or 180 days (FRISC II) in relation to low, middle, and top tertiles of Lp-PLA(2) at randomization. In FRISC II, the 1 year mortality was 4.2, 4.2, and 4.8% in the low, middle, and top Lp-PLA(2) tertiles, respectively, P = 0.8. In GUSTO IV, 1 year mortality was 7.0, 8.3, and 9.6% in the low, middle, and top Lp-PLA(2) tertiles, respectively, P = 0.5.'] Does lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 predict mortality or new ischaemic events in acute coronary syndrome patients?