Improved Heart Disease Risk Assessment Achieved in Framingham Population with VAP® Lipid Panel

Remnant lipoproteins and HDL subclasses are identified as significant, independent risk factors in heart disease at ACC 2013 Scientific Session

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Researchers using Atherotech Diagnostics Lab’s VAP^® Lipid Panel demonstrated the comprehensive lipid profile’s capabilities in coronary heart disease (CHD) risk stratification through subclass measurement in two abstracts presented today at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.13).

“Today’s research further clarifies the role of lipid subfraction measurement, beyond the limited capabilities of the basic lipid panel, leading to improved risk identification and management.”

The VAP Lipid Panel measured remnant lipoproteins (RLPs) and HDL subclasses in Framingham populations. RLPs were identified as independent predictors of heart disease, and HDL subclasses were shown to be protective against heart disease. Both studies highlight the lipid panel’s potential for improved outcomes in personalized heart disease risk assessment through subfraction measurement compared to the basic lipid panel, which is inadequate and inaccurate for large groups of patients, including those with diabetes, metabolic syndrome, elevated triglycerides or LDL goals under 100.

“Today’s results are important because they demonstrate that remnant lipoprotein and HDL subclass measurement in a primary prevention population conveys critical, independent CHD risk assessment information potentially leading to more accurate risk stratification and improved outcomes,” said Peter P. Toth, M.D., lead author for both studies. Toth is director of preventative cardiology at CGH Medical Center in Sterling, Ill., and a member of Atherotech’s Medical Advisory Board.

The ACC.13 poster abstract 1145-4, “Impact of Lipoprotein Remnants on 12 Year Risk for CHD in the Framingham Offspring Population,” demonstrated that remnant lipoproteins (VLDL₃, IDLc and total remnants) as measured by the VAP Lipid Panel are a significant, independent predictor of incident CHD events (coronary death, myocardial infarction, coronary insufficiency and angina pectoris). The research results mark the first time that the vertical auto profile (VAP) method of subclass measurement has been used to identify RLPs as independent risk factors.

Toth’s second abstract, poster presentation 1146M-13, “Impact of HDL-C and its Subfractions on Risk for CHD in the Framingham Offspring Population,” showed that over 12 years of follow-up in the FOCS, HDL₂ and HDL₃ subclasses — along with HDLc — were significant, independent protective factors against incident CHD and hard CHD events (CHD end-points exclusive of angina pectoris).

“The evidence has made it increasingly clear that traditional risk factors do not fully explain the risk for CHD events, and treating to LDL in numerous patient populations is inadequate,” said Atherotech Chief Medical Officer Michael E. Cobble, M.D. “Today’s research further clarifies the role of lipid subfraction measurement, beyond the limited capabilities of the basic lipid panel, leading to improved risk identification and management.”

A complete list of Atherotech-related scientific presentations is available at www.CobblesCorner.com. Get updates throughout the conference by following the ACC.13 on Twitter via the hashtag #ACC13, and posts from @ACC_2013 and @Atherotech.

For information on the VAP Lipid Panel, visit www.Atherotech.com or call 877-901-8510. Health care professionals interested in real cases from the trenches of lipidology may visit Cobble’s Corner, Atherotech’s official blog. Atherotech is on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/Atherotech, on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/Atherotech, and broadcasting at www.YouTube.com/user/VAPatherotech.

To arrange interviews with any of these presenters, or other Atherotech medical experts in attendance at ACC.13 who can provide outside comment on these and other sessions, please call 720-231-9990 or e-mail [e-mail]. Atherotech’s full schedule of science presented at ACC.13 and related materials can be found on www.CobblesCorner.com. All research results are embargoed until the time they are presented during the conference. All times listed are Pacific Time. Please refer to the American College of Cardiology for embargo policies pertaining to presentations at the ACC.13.

About Atherotech Diagnostics Lab & the VAP Lipid Panel

Atherotech Diagnostics Lab is a leading clinical reference laboratory specializing in cardiometabolic testing and disease management solutions. Atherotech’s proprietary and comprehensive VAP^® Lipid Panel enables clinicians to accurately stratify a patient’s cardiovascular risk and deliver personalized treatment strategies to improve health outcomes. The Vertical Auto Profile (VAP) technology reveals residual cardiometabolic risk as recommended in the NCEP ATP III, ADA/ACC Joint Consensus and AACE guidelines. The VAP Lipid Panel utilizes direct measurement to identify cholesterol, triglyceride and genetic lipid disorders. The company’s dedication to affordable, comprehensive disease management solutions includes Our Healthy Heart, a patient consultation program and expert lipid management education service to health care providers. For more information, please visit www.Atherotech.com or call 1-866-VAP-TEST.