CardioMetabolic Profile, Serum

Overview:

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the second leading cause of death in North America. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a risk factor for CVD and renal damage. Therefor this comprehensive test evaluates risk for CVD plus too often associated MetS. Many of the risk factors and metabolic abnormalities associated with both CVD and MetS are lifestyle related. Objective advanced laboratory assessment of abnormalities in glucose, lipid and lipoprotein metabolism and adipokines facilitate individualized clinical intervention and can improve clinical outcomes.

Cardiovascular Risk
Well beyond the traditional levels of serum total lipids and lipoprotein cholesterol levels, this test assesses the levels of the most highly atherogenic apolipoprotein B containing lipoproteins. Formulas can used to calculate the levels of low density (LDL) and very low density VLDL) lipoprotein cholesterol, but when plasma triglycerides (TG) are high the calculated LDL and VLDL cholesterol values may be markedly underestimated. Assessment of non-HDL lipoprotein cholesterol levels, irrespective of TG levels provides accurate assessment of cholesterol transported in atherogenic LDL sub-species, VLDL, IDL and remnant particles. The levels of the real LDL culprits such as oxidized LDL, small dense LDL and lipoprotein(a) have much greater predictive power than LDL-cholesterol. The levels of the important protein constituents of anti-atherogenic HDL (apo AI) and atherogenic LDL species (apo B) are also reported. CVD is an inflammatory condition so artery-specific hsCRP levels are reported. The enzymatic activity of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase-A2 (PLAC^®) provides an indication of very significant atherogenic disease activity, inflammation and increased risk for rupture of advanced plaque. Elevated PLAC activity is a very strong predictor of coronary events and CVD-related mortality regardless of cholesterol levels.