Lipid Remnants Measured by VAP® Lipid Panel Associated with 28% Increase in Heart Attack Events in Jackson Heart Study Population

SAN FRANCISCO -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Researchers investigating heart disease in African Americans presented findings today showing that increased levels of remnant lipoprotein cholesterol measured with Atherotech Diagnostics Lab’s VAP^® Lipid Panel were a significant, independent predictor of heart attack events among study participants.

Oral abstract #919-6 Triglyceride-Rich Remnant Lipoprotein Cholesterol Predicts Acute Myocardial Infarction in African Americans: The Jackson Heart Study was presented by study lead author Arif A. Khokhar, B.M., B.Ch., M.A. (CANTAB), at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.13). Study results demonstrated that in multivariable analysis a one standard deviation increase in triglyceride-rich remnant lipoprotein cholesterol (RLPc) was associated with a 28-percent increased heart attack risk among African Americans. The Jackson Heart Study represents the largest investigation to date of causes of cardiovascular disease in an African American population.

“Today’s research found that risk assessment through comprehensive lipoprotein measurement in specific populations and risk categories can provide valuable information not captured by the basic lipid panel,” said Khokhar of Northwest London Hospitals, United Kingdom. “The research brings to light more evidence that triglyceride-rich remnant lipoproteins play a powerful role in cardiovascular disease and should not be overlooked in heart disease risk assessment in this primary prevention population.”

Among 4,722 Jackson Heart Study participants, RLPc was most strongly associated with acute myocardial infarction (MI), whereas associations with the traditional lipid profile were not significant in multivariable analysis. Researchers concluded that RLPc might provide additional information beyond the traditional lipid profile.

The study defined RLPc as the sum total of cholesterol from intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL₃); researchers reported that the increased risk was primarily driven by IDLc. Total cholesterol, LDLc and non-HDLc were not significantly associated with MI, according to researchers.

“While total cholesterol, non-HDLc, IDLc and TC/HDLc ratios showed trends for higher risk, they did not reach significance; meanwhile, the RLP was both the most predictive of MI events and the most significant in multivariable analysis,” said Atherotech Chief Medical Officer Michael E. Cobble, M.D. “Misclassification of risk is a significant concern among African Americans as well as those with metabolic syndrome, diabetes, triglycerides above 200 or high-risk patients with LDL goals below 100. The comprehensive lipid panel goes beyond these limitations to provide more accurate lipid measurement leading to better risk identification, risk management and improved outcomes.”

A complete list of Atherotech-related ACC.13 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.

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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 media@atherotech.com. 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.