Atherotech, Inc. Unveils New Cardiometabolic Test Panels
Heart disease and diabetes markers to complement VAP advanced cholesterol profile
ORLANDO, Fla. and BIRMINGHAM, Ala., March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Atherotech, Inc., developer of the VAP Cholesterol Test, has announced the addition of new cardiovascular and metabolic testing panels at ACC.09, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 58th Annual Scientific Session Exposition. Atherotech is adding more than a dozen new tests, including C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP), ApoE genotype, and NT-proBNP, for assessment of patients at intermediate to high risk of cardiometabolic diseases. The company is also adding advanced and follow-up cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk profiles.
"We're maximizing the value of our core VAP technology with additional cardiometabolic tests," said Atherotech President Michael Mullen. "This provides physicians and cardiology practices with a single source for the VAP Cholesterol Test plus the new test panels. You get the complete cardiovascular and metabolic view."
Atherotech representatives will be available to discuss the VAP Cholesterol Test and new test panels in booth #1263, and blood draws will be provided to qualified attendees during exhibit hours March 29-31. Because LDL is directly measured, fasting is not required. Test results will be returned via mail after the conference.
The VAP Test, which recently added apoAI (and the apoB/apoAI ratio) to its panel, uses advanced lipid profile testing in the identification of individuals at increased risk of heart disease. The new test panels enable Atherotech to increase its scientific and diagnostic capabilities by offering much more complete cardiometabolic testing.
Steven Margolis, M.D., FAAFP, DABCL, a board-certified lipidologist who currently uses the VAP Test for advanced lipid testing of patients in his Sterling Heights, Mich., practice, says the new testing panels add significant benefits for practices such as his.
"It's very convenient for physicians to be able to get these heart disease risk factor tests grouped together and not have to deal with multiple reference labs," said Margolis. "They're also now offering specialized tests such as apoE genetic testing and NT-proBNP that aren't offered by most other reference laboratories."
The new test panels are available immediately and also include homocysteine, creatinine, creatine kinase (CK), HbA1c, TSH, ALT, AST, urea nitrogen (BUN), glucose, vitamin D, fibrinogen and insulin. The tests can be ordered individually, or bundled as part of a custom risk profile that may also include the VAP Test.
The VAP Test provides researchers and medical professionals with direct measurement of LDL, HDL and all relevant subclasses, and includes non-HDL, a highly accurate determination of apoB, and emerging risk factors such as Lp(a), remnants and small dense LDL. The VAP (Vertical Auto Profile) Test is now the only single cholesterol test that routinely reports apoAI, apoB, and the apoB/apoAI ratio.
For more information call 877.901.8510 or visit www.thevaptest.com.
About Atherotech, Inc.
Atherotech is a cardio-diagnostic company focusing on cardiometabolic tests, including the company's patented VAP Cholesterol Test, which reports the cholesterol content of all lipids, components and subclasses. The VAP Test is the first cholesterol profile to comply with updated National Cholesterol Education Program ATP III recommendations for direct LDL measurement, which is accurate with non-fasting samples. It is the only advanced lipid profile that routinely reports all three lipoprotein parameters considered necessary by the American Diabetes Association and American College of Cardiology expert consensus guidelines. The VAP Test is available through national and regional diagnostic laboratories and is reimbursed by many of the largest private insurers as well as Medicare. For more information, visit www.thevaptest.com.
CONTACT: Dan Snyders of Armada Medical Marketing, +1-303-623-1190 x230,
dan@armadamedical.com, for Atherotech, Inc.; or Scott Rezek of Atherotech,
Inc., +1-205-314-7412, srezek@atherotech.com
Web site: http://www.atherotech.com/