Clinical Pearls with Dr. Wayne Sodano Part 19 : KBMO Cardiovascular Inflammation Test (CIT)

Dr. Wayne L. Sodano, DC, DABCI, DACBN, CFMP, CIHP, BCTN

Since most adults have some degree of cardiometabolic risk, the CIT has been designed to evaluate and monitor the extent of this risk for patients.

Cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and obesity are widespread and very common among patients. These lifestyle diseases are largely preventable, treatable, and reversible. The right combination of blood tests can unmask and monitor the risk for serious health problems including premature death and dramatically reduce quality of life.

Lipids

Total Cholesterol (TC)
Measures the amount of cholesterol in all cholesterol-containing lipoproteins

Triglycerides (TG)
Elevated levels increase CVD risk by altering lipoprotein metabolism

Direct Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C)
Amount of cholesterol in the atherogenic low-density lipoproteins

High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C)
Amount of cholesterol in high-density lipoproteins (HDL). Higher levels of HDL are associated with reduced CVD risk, but not all HDL is good

Lipid Ratio
TC/HDL-C is a stronger risk factor than either LDL-C or HDL-C. Low HDL-C/TG is associated with insulin resistance.

Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a))
Elevated levels, present in 20% of the population, are an independent risk factor for CVD

Apolipoprotein B (apoB)
A major protein in atherogenic particles. Stronger predictor of CVD than LDL-C

Metabolics

Homocysteine
High levels are associated with vitamin B deficiency in increased risk for CVD and dementia

Glucose
Fasting glucose is a strong predictor of diabetes and CVD risk

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)
Assesses the average blood glucose over the last two to three months

Inflammation

High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP)
Acute phase inflammatory protein. Associated with atherosclerosis after excluding other causes

Cardiovascular Inflammation Test (CIT) (Fingerstick)

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