RALEIGH, N.C., Oct. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Six of the nation's leading medical centers have recently joined a growing number of nationally recognized teaching institutions utilizing advanced nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to aid in the diagnosis and management of heart disease risk.
The medical centers at The Cleveland Clinic, University of California at Los Angeles, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Medical University of South Carolina, University of North Carolina, and Luther Midelfort-Mayo Health System now offer the NMR LipoProfile(R) test ( http://www.lipoprofile.com/ ). Developed by LipoScience, Inc., the NMR LipoProfile test is a diagnostic test for managing patients considered to be at high-risk for developing heart disease, e.g., individuals previously diagnosed with heart disease, diabetes or metabolic syndrome, and assessing these patients' response to therapy. These centers join the growing number of leading institutions already offering the NMR LipoProfile test as part of their diagnostic testing services capabilities.
"We've gone completely over to this test; it has totally changed my practice," said Patrick McBride, MD, MPH, co-director of Preventive Cardiology, UW Hospital and Clinics, Professor of Medicine, University of Wisconsin Medical School and member of the National Cholesterol Education Program ATP III Expert Panel. "About half of the patients referred to our clinic are found to have an unhealthy lipoprotein profile that wasn't apparent in the traditional cholesterol test. It is stunning," he said.
"We are very pleased with the growing utilization we are receiving at preeminent clinical and teaching institutions," said Richard O. Brajer, president and chief executive officer at LipoScience, Inc. "The recent successes we've realized are a direct result of our strategy of demonstrating the added clinical value of the NMR LipoProfile test through a significant number of peer-reviewed publications, including our most recent journal article published in the September 2004 issue of Current Atherosclerosis Reports. We believe our most recent relationships with these six centers of excellence further validate this approach."
Lipoprotein particles are the minute, spherical "containers" that transport cholesterol throughout the body. Medical researchers have learned that measuring the numbers of "bad" lipoprotein particles (LDL-P(TM)) in blood gives a much better indication than "bad" cholesterol (LDL-C) measurements of the risk of developing heart disease. Increased numbers of LDL particles indicate an increased risk of heart disease even if cholesterol levels are normal. The level of risk is further mediated by the size of the particles with smaller LDL particles conferring a higher risk than larger particles. With the new cholesterol targets recently established by the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) for patients at moderate or high levels of risk, the same principle remains true -- an increased number of LDL particles is the direct measure of CHD risk.
"Two patients with identical cholesterol levels often have different numbers of LDL particles. Unfortunately, those with an increased number of LDL particles continue to be at increased CHD risk," states Dr. Cromwell, chief medical officer for LipoScience. "This is especially true for high-risk individuals such as patients with diabetes, metabolic syndrome or a history of heart disease. The need for better information on which to make individualized treatment decisions about risk management and response to therapy has never been more important."
About LipoScience, Inc.
Headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., LipoScience Inc. develops and markets new clinical applications of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in the areas of cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders. Introduced in 1999, the NMR LipoProfile(R) test is a simple blood test used by physicians to directly measure the number of atherogenic LDL particles (LDL-P) and VLDL particles, as well as protective HDL particles. It is ideally suited for patients who are being considered for or who are currently on LDL-lowering therapy - patients considered to be at moderate or high risk for having a cardiovascular event. This information helps physicians assess and manage a patient's risk of cardiovascular disease that is often missed by a standard lipid panel.
Founded in 1994, LipoScience markets and sells the NMR LipoProfile test to physicians, other healthcare professionals, commercial diagnostic laboratories and clinical research clients. To date, over 1.4 million NMR LipoProfile tests have been performed.
About UCLA
Since opening its doors in 1955, UCLA Medical Center has consistently been a healthcare innovator. Known worldwide for its pioneering technological contributions, UCLA Medical Center year after year is ranked number one in the West by U.S. News and World Report's annual survey of "America's Best Hospitals." Contact: Lisa Chapman, LChapman@mednet.ucla.edu .
About The Cleveland Clinic
The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, located in Cleveland, Ohio, is a not-for- profit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. U.S. News & World Report consistently names The Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation's best hospitals in its annual "America's Best Hospitals" survey. Contact: Department of Media Relations, 216-444-0141.
About UW Hospital and Clinics
Consistently ranked in "America's Best Hospitals" by U.S. News and World Report, UW Hospital and Clinics is a national leader in specialty care. UW Health's nationally respected preventive cardiology program was one of the first in the country, and its cardiac rehabilitation program was the first of its kind. The Hospital is also a leader in ensuring patient safety and quality care through technology. Contact: Lisa Brunette, la.brunette@hosp.wisc.edu .
About MUSC
The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) is a public institution of higher learning, the purpose of which is to preserve and optimize human life in South Carolina and beyond. The university provides an environment for learning and discovery through education of health care professionals and biomedical scientists, research in the health sciences and provision of comprehensive health care. Contact: Ellen Banks, 843-792-2626.
About UNC
The University of North Carolina Hospitals is a public, academic medical center operated by and for the people of North Carolina. Our mission is to provide high quality patient care, to educate health care professionals, to advance health research and to provide community service. From well-baby check-ups to chronic disease care to life-saving surgeries to cutting-edge gene therapy, UNC Health Care is improving health and treating disease across North Carolina. In addition to comprehensive medical, surgical and psychiatric care, UNC is a leader in health promotion and disease prevention. Contact: Tom Hughes, 919-966-3366.
About Luther Midelfort-Mayo Health System
Luther Midelfort-Mayo Health System is dedicated to promoting the health and meeting the healthcare needs of patients. Through the years, Luther Hospital and Midelfort Clinic evolved into regional referral centers. Now, as part of Mayo Health System and through its partnership with Mayo Clinic, Luther Midelfort-Mayo Health System offers a full range of medical services through a network of community-based healthcare providers in several locations throughout west-central Wisconsin. Contact: Traci Gerharz Klein, 715-838- 3012.
Interviews Available
For interviews with Dr. William Cromwell, chief medical officer with LipoScience, or more information, please contact Michelle Turenne at 919-256- 1306 or at mturenne@liposcience.com .
LipoScience, Inc.CONTACT: Michelle Turenne of LipoScience, Inc., +1-919-256-1306, ormturenne@liposcience.com