New Liver Enzyme Test

A new test for asparte aminotransferase (AST) is designed for use on the Cholestech LDX system of Cholestech Corp. (Hayward, CA, USA) to assess damage to the liver caused by drugs or disease.

The AST test can be run in conjunction with the company's alanine aminotrasferase (ALT) test. The combination ALT and AST test cassette delivers results in less than five minutes using a single drop of blood. The AST test is the only such test waived under
CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments). All other AST tests must be performed in complex nonwaived laboratories.

The tests are used by doctors to evaluate liver damage resulting from therapy with certain drugs and in the diagnosis and treatment of certain liver diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis, as well as heart disease. Drug companies recommend that liver enzyme testing occur in all patients considering treatment with most classes of cholesterol-lowering drugs, including statins, and other drugs used to treat diabetes, hypertension, and other conditions. Repeat testing is used to make decisions on discontinued therapy for safety considerations.

"Now for the first time ever, clinicians can obtain a full lipid profile and monitor liver enzymes with both ALT and AST results in-office, on one machine and without multiple blood samplings,” remarked Kenneth F. Miller, vice president of sales and marketing for Cholestech. The company also offers diagnostic tests for cholesterol and related lipids, blood glucose and glycemic control, and liver function at the point of care.




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