Houston, TX - July 7, 2008.
SpectraCell Laboratories has added an innovative blood test calledLp-PLA2 (Lipoprotein-associated Phospholipase A2) to its arsenal of advanced cardiovascular testing aimed at early detection of cardiovascular disease. The new test measures the amount of aspecific enzyme in blood that occurs when there is an active atherosclerotic process that could lead to the rupture of plaque and cause a heart attack or stroke. Lipid measurement and cardiac imaging cannot identify which patients have rupture-prone plaque with thin fibrous caps. Therefore, finding serologic markers with high specificity for advanced plaque is a useful diagnostic tool in cardiovascular risk stratification.
The Lp-PLA2 test helps physicians to identify patients who would benefit from more aggressive therapy and is especially recommended for intermediate and high-risk patients.
Once thought to be a simple process caused by the deposition of too much cholesterol in the arteries, atherosclerosis now appears to be a condition where the arterial lesions are inflamed, eventually leading to plaque rupture causing a heart attack or stroke. Lp-PLA2 is associated with a doubling of cardiovascular risk.
“What makes Lp-PLA2 so unique is that it is very specific to vascular inflammation, making it anexcellent indicator of active atherosclerosis, which is otherwise difficult to detect through conventional methods,” states Dr. Jan Troup, PhD, Director of Lipid Science at SpectraCell. “It tellsba doctor that the risk of MI or stroke is higher due to developing vulnerable plaque. Doctors can use this information to modify treatment strategies determined by lipoprotein particles alone.
”Since stroke is the leading cause of disability and third leading cause of death in America, early detection and prevention is key, especially since 68% of heart attacks and strokes occur from bloodclots, not narrowing of the arteries.
Although Lp-PLA2 is an inflammatory marker, it is not affected by inflammation that might occur from infection or injury.
This makes Lp-PLA2 a more specific marker than the more familiar CRP (CReactive Protein) which can be elevated from systemic infection, even when the vascular walls are healthy. High Lp-PLA2 in combination with high hs-CRP increases the risk level four fold.
Since 50% of all heart attacks occur in patients with normal cholesterol values, the Lp-PLA2 test isboften used in conjunction with advanced lipoprotein tests.
SpectraCell’s LPP+™ combines advanced cholesterol testing with additional independent risk factors such as Lp-PLA2, hs-CRP,insulin and homocysteine. It is typically covered by standard insurance and Medicare.