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SpectraCell Laboratories Offers Additional Test for Heart Attack and Stroke Risk

Tuesday, July 8, 2008 General News
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HOUSTON, July 7 SpectraCell Laboratories has added aninnovative blood test called Lp-PLA2 (Lipoprotein-associated Phospholipase A2)to its arsenal of advanced cardiovascular testing aimed at early detection ofcardiovascular disease. The new test measures the amount of a specific enzymein blood that occurs when there is an active atherosclerotic process thatcould lead to the rupture of plaque and cause a heart attack or stroke.
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Lipid measurement and cardiac imaging cannot identify which patients haverupture-prone plaque with thin fibrous caps. Therefore, finding serologicmarkers with high specificity for advanced plaque is a useful diagnostic toolin cardiovascular risk stratification. The Lp-PLA2 test helps physicians toidentify patients who would benefit from more aggressive therapy and isespecially recommended for intermediate and high-risk patients.
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Once thought to be a simple process caused by the deposition of too muchcholesterol in the arteries, atherosclerosis now appears to be a conditionwhere the arterial lesions are inflamed, eventually leading to plaque rupturecausing a heart attack or stroke. Lp-PLA2 is associated with a doubling ofcardiovascular risk.

"What makes Lp-PLA2 so unique is that it is very specific to vascularinflammation, making it an excellent indicator of active atherosclerosis,which is otherwise difficult to detect through conventional methods," statesDr. Jan Troup, Ph.D., Director of Lipid Science at SpectraCell. "It tells adoctor that the risk of MI or stroke is higher due to developing vulnerableplaque. Doctors can use this information to modify treatment strategiesdetermined by lipoprotein particles alone."

Since stroke is the leading cause of disability and third leading cause ofdeath in America, early detection and prevention is key, especially since 68%of heart attacks and strokes occur from blood clots, not narrowing of thearteries.

Although Lp-PLA2 is an inflammatory marker, it is not affected byinflammation that might occur from infection or injury. This makes Lp-PLA2 amore specific marker than the more familiar CRP (C-Reactive Protein) which canbe elevated from systemic infection, even when the vascular walls are healthy.High Lp-PLA2 in combination with high hs-CRP increases the risk level fourfold.

Since 50% of all heart attacks occur in patients with normal cholesterolvalues, the Lp-PLA2 test is often used in conjunction with advancedlipoprotein tests. SpectraCell's LPP+(TM) combines advanced cholesteroltesting with additional independent risk factors such as Lp-PLA2, hs-CRP,insulin and homocysteine. It is typically covered by standard insurance andMedicare.

About SpectraCell Laboratories -- SpectraCell is a CLIA accreditedlaboratory that services healthcare providers nationwide by providing advancedclinical testing with the patent pending LPP(TM) (Lipoprotein ParticleProfile) and FIA(TM) (Functional Intracellular Analysis) and tests.

SpectraCell's LPP(TM) testing is the most advanced lipoprotein testavailable. Unlike traditional cholesterol tests, SpectraCell's LPP(TM)directly measures the number of several classes of lipoprotein particlesproviding an accurate assessment of cardiovascular risk.

SpectraCell's FIA(TM) testing is an innovative assessment of a patient'snutritional status. Unlike traditional serum, hair and urine tests,SpectraCell's FIA(TM) measures how an individual's white blood cells functionin specific nutritional environments. Over 30 vitamins, minerals, amino acidsand antioxidants are evaluated. As a result, individual differences inmetabolism, age, genetics, health, prescription drug usage, absorption rateand other factors are taken into consideration.

SOURCE SpectraCell Laboratories
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