INDIANAPOLIS, June 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Polymer Technology Systems Inc. (PTS) announces today it will market the world’s first direct LDL cholesterol test for use at point-of-care by physicians, pharmacies, and other healthcare professionals.
This breakthrough in direct LDL testing eliminates the need for patients to fast prior to testing and to wait for test results from a laboratory. The new direct LDL test from PTS provides results in about two minutes at point-of-care, giving physicians immediate information to identify at-risk patients and, if required, issue prescriptions for cholesterol-lowering medication or suggest lifestyle changes.
“The LDL component of cholesterol, what people call the ‘bad cholesterol,’ is a critical indicator in determining a patient’s risk of heart attack and stroke,” says PTS CEO Robert Huffstodt. “Our new test is revolutionary because a physician now has the ability to test LDL levels in the office and as necessary, provide immediate counseling and intervention. Also, because fasting is not required, the physician can test in-office all day long, rather than just early morning before the patient has eaten.”
Typically, LDL results are calculated via the Friedewald equation, which requires patients to fast for 10 to 12 hours before testing. Triglycerides, fats from food that are stored in the blood, at high levels, may affect calculated LDL results. PTS’ Direct(TM) LDL Cholesterol Test Strips do not require the patient to be fasting when the test is performed.
How direct LDL testing works
LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is an important factor in calculating risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke, or heart attack. People with high cholesterol typically are not aware they have a problem because there are no symptoms. According to the American Heart Association, nearly 107 million Americans have dangerously high cholesterol levels and may be at risk for a heart attack or stroke. The new direct LDL Cholesterol Test Strips from PTS provide a simple, immediate means for physicians to diagnose, monitor, and, if necessary, treat patients with high levels of LDL while patients are in their office.
Physicians use the direct LDL Test Strip with the portable CardioChek® PA handheld analyzer. The direct LDL color-coded MEMo chip(TM) is placed into the meter, a test strip is inserted, and a drop of the patient’s blood is applied to the strip. In about two minutes, results appear on the analyzer as a numeric value that can be compared with standard guidelines to determine whether the patient is within recommended limits or may require cholesterol-lowering therapy.
In addition, PTS has recently received 510(k) clearance from the Food and Drug Administration for a new HDL cholesterol test-strip technology to be marketed worldwide under the PTS Panels(TM) brand.
About Polymer Technology Systems Inc. (PTS)
Polymer Technology Systems Inc. is a global company headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., with sales offices in Africa, Australia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and the Pacific Rim. PTS developed and markets point-of-care diagnostic products including the CardioChek and CardioChek PA handheld analyzers for professional or at home use. PTS has developed PTS Panels Test Strips for use with the CardioChek brand analyzers to measure Total Cholesterol, direct LDL Cholesterol, HDL Cholesterol, Glucose, Triglycerides, Ketone, and Creatinine. PTS also offers a complete Lipid Panel and other combination test strips. For more information visit http://www.cardiochek.com.
Source: Polymer Technology Systems Inc.
