How is it used?
The Lp-PLA
2 test is sometimes used by a doctor along with other
cardiac risk markers to help evaluate a person's risk of developing
coronary heart disease (CHD) or to help determine the risk of having an
ischemic stroke. It would typically be indicated for someone who was at a moderate to elevated risk for CHD or stroke, someone with one or more risk factors. For instance, it may be ordered when someone has normal or minimally elevated lipid levels and/or borderline high blood pressure (
hypertension).
An Lp-PLA2 test may be ordered along with an hs-CRP test to evaluate a person's level of underlying inflammation and can be ordered when someone has an inflammatory condition, as it is not affected by inflammation.
Lp-PLA2 is a new test that is not frequently ordered and its full clinical utility has yet to be established. It is intended to give a doctor additional information, not to replace testing cholesterol and other lipid levels.
Some researchers are exploring whether treatments to lower Lp-PLA2 levels may decrease a person's risk of CHD and ischemic stroke. If the risk is found to be lowered, then the Lp-PLA2 test may potentially be ordered more frequently and used to monitor a person's response to treatment and risk reduction.
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When is it ordered?
Lp-PLA
2 is a new test that is not frequently ordered. Some doctors may order it along with other
cardiac risk markers when someone has a family history of
CHD, has
metabolic syndrome, and/or is considered to be at a moderate to elevated risk for CHD or
ischemic stroke.
The test may be useful when a person has an inflammatory condition and an hs-CRP test cannot be performed.
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What does the test result mean?
Significantly elevated Lp-PLA
2 levels indicate an increased risk for developing
CHD or of having an
ischemic stroke and provide a doctor with additional information about the tested person's overall risk. The test is not diagnostic of CHD or ischemic stroke; it is a risk indicator. Many people with increased concentrations will not develop these conditions, and some with normal levels will.
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Is there anything else I should know?
While the findings from recent studies support the potential usefulness of Lp-PLA
2 in
CHD and
ischemic stroke risk assessment, its ultimate clinical utility has yet to be established.
The Lp-PLA2 test is not widely available. In most cases, the blood sample will be sent to a reference laboratory and results will be available within a few days.
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