A new blood test could provide the quick, easy marker of kidney function that cardiologists need to assess patients being treated for heart attacks or other serious coronary events, Swedish researchers report.The test measures blood levels of cystatin C, a molecule that is produced by most cells and is filtered out of the blood by the kidneys. Testing for cystatin C gave a highly accurate prediction of survival for patients who suffered heart attacks, said a report in the Oct. 12 issue of Circulation by physicians at the Uppsala Research Center.
