In-Depth Cholesterol Subfraction Test

A new cholesterol subfraction test provides provides data on low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol subfraction levels, giving doctors in-depth information that helps them determine which patients are at risk for coronary artery disease (CAD). The new test was introduced at the American Heart Association meeting in New Orleans (LA, USA).

Called Lipoprint, the new test measures seven LDL subfractions that are critical in determining if an individual has a LDL subtraction profile associated with increased risk of CAD. The test shows the cholesterol levels in each subfraction, the actual LDL fraction particle sizes in angstroms, and provides a comparison to a normal cholesterol subfraction
distribution. The test was developed by Quantimetrix Corp. (Redondo Beach, CA, USA).

Doctors have been puzzled by the fact that some people with high cholesterol never develop heart disease while others with normal cholesterol have heart attacks. Some of this discrepancy can be explained by cholesterol subfractions. Recent studies have shown that some subfractions within the LDL cholesterol are much worse than others in promoting heart disease. Thus, people with normal cholesterol may be at great risk if they have a bad LDL subfraction profile.



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Quantimetrix