10/19/2005 5:12:08 PM
NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- LipoScience ( http://www.liposcience.com/ ) announced today the results of a major study confirming that the number of LDL particles (LDL-P) measured by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy provides better prediction of heart disease risk than levels of LDL cholesterol (LDL-C). LDL particles are the spherical "containers" that transport cholesterol throughout the body. Excessive numbers of these particles enter at the artery wall to cause atherosclerosis, which can lead to heart attack and stroke.
In a paper presented by Ernst J. Schaefer, M.D., and co-investigators from the Framingham Heart Offspring Study, LDL-P was shown to provide significantly more information about cardiovascular risk in middle-aged men and women followed prospectively over eight years than traditional cholesterol measures. The risk associated with elevated LDL-P was independent not only of LDL and HDL cholesterol, but also of non-lipid risk factors such as age, high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking. The results were presented as part of the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2004.
The study involved the analysis of frozen blood samples obtained from 1,529 men and 1,708 women who were followed for an average period of eight years to monitor the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD), defined as fatal and non-fatal myocardial infarction and stroke, claudication and angina. Two hundred twenty men and 116 women developed CVD during the follow-up period (14.4 percent and 6.8 percent, respectively). LDL particle numbers, as well as numbers of large and small LDL particle subclasses, were obtained by NMR LipoProfile(R) testing at LipoScience in Raleigh, N.C.
Statistical analysis showed that levels of LDL-P and the small LDL particle subclass were significantly more predictive of CVD events than LDL-C or the large LDL particle subclass, after taking into account the risk contributed by established non-lipid risk factors.
Dr. Schaefer, a professor at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston and chief of the Lipid Metabolism Laboratory, explained that many high-risk individuals have LDL particles that are smaller and contain less cholesterol than normal. As a result, even those with optimal LDL cholesterol levels may still have elevated, far from optimal numbers of atherogenic LDL particles. "The good news is that once these patients are identified, their LDL-P elevations can be treated effectively with the same proven therapies that lower LDL cholesterol," said Schaefer.
Among the patients expected to benefit from LDL particle testing are those with pre-existing heart disease, diabetes or a family history of heart disease. Patients with elevated triglycerides and other characteristics of the metabolic syndrome also are likely to have higher LDL-P levels than indicated by LDL-C testing, Schaefer said.
About the NMR LipoProfile test
Developed by James D. Otvos, Ph.D., and coworkers at North Carolina State University and introduced commercially in 1997, the NMR LipoProfile test employs novel magnetic resonance technology to measure directly the numbers of lipoprotein particles of different size in a patient's blood. Large, medium and small particle subclasses of VLDL, LDL and HDL are measured simultaneously in a rapid and fully automated process. LipoScience provides a patient's physician with a computerized report containing this lipoprotein particle information, highlighting abnormalities, to help guide individualized treatment decisions.
In addition, the NMR LipoProfile test is used in a wide range of clinical studies conducted by government, academic and pharmaceutical company researchers. By illuminating relationships between lipoprotein particles and cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other disorders, these studies seek to develop more effective prevention and treatment strategies. Results previously reported from the Cardiovascular Health Study, Women's Health Study, PLAC-I and VA-HIT, among others, have all shown LDL-P to predict future cardiovascular disease better than LDL-C. The present findings from the Framingham Offspring Study confirm and extend these earlier reports.
About LipoScience, Inc.
Headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., LipoScience develops and markets new clinical applications of NMR spectroscopy in the areas of cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders. Its flagship product, the NMR LipoProfile blood test, was introduced for clinical research in 1997 and for use in patient care in 1999. The test provides a direct and accurate count of the numbers of atherogenic LDL particles (LDL-P) and VLDL particles of different size, as well as the numbers of 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 moderately-high or high risk for having a cardiovascular event. The lipoprotein particle information is used as an adjunct to traditional cholesterol measures to help physicians assess and manage their patient's risk of cardiovascular disease more effectively.
Founded in 1994, LipoScience markets and sells the NMR LipoProfile test to physicians, other healthcare professionals, commercial diagnostic laboratories and clinical research clients. LipoScience works with prominent healthcare organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, Mayo Clinic, Harvard Medical School, Johns Hopkins, Columbia University, Northwestern University and Duke University, as well as most of the major pharmaceutical companies on a wide variety of research initiatives. To date, over 1.4 million NMR LipoProfile tests have been performed.
Onsite Interviews Available
Interviews at the AHA Scientific Sessions in New Orleans are available with:
LipoScience, Inc.
In a paper presented by Ernst J. Schaefer, M.D., and co-investigators from the Framingham Heart Offspring Study, LDL-P was shown to provide significantly more information about cardiovascular risk in middle-aged men and women followed prospectively over eight years than traditional cholesterol measures. The risk associated with elevated LDL-P was independent not only of LDL and HDL cholesterol, but also of non-lipid risk factors such as age, high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking. The results were presented as part of the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2004.
The study involved the analysis of frozen blood samples obtained from 1,529 men and 1,708 women who were followed for an average period of eight years to monitor the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD), defined as fatal and non-fatal myocardial infarction and stroke, claudication and angina. Two hundred twenty men and 116 women developed CVD during the follow-up period (14.4 percent and 6.8 percent, respectively). LDL particle numbers, as well as numbers of large and small LDL particle subclasses, were obtained by NMR LipoProfile(R) testing at LipoScience in Raleigh, N.C.
Statistical analysis showed that levels of LDL-P and the small LDL particle subclass were significantly more predictive of CVD events than LDL-C or the large LDL particle subclass, after taking into account the risk contributed by established non-lipid risk factors.
Dr. Schaefer, a professor at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston and chief of the Lipid Metabolism Laboratory, explained that many high-risk individuals have LDL particles that are smaller and contain less cholesterol than normal. As a result, even those with optimal LDL cholesterol levels may still have elevated, far from optimal numbers of atherogenic LDL particles. "The good news is that once these patients are identified, their LDL-P elevations can be treated effectively with the same proven therapies that lower LDL cholesterol," said Schaefer.
Among the patients expected to benefit from LDL particle testing are those with pre-existing heart disease, diabetes or a family history of heart disease. Patients with elevated triglycerides and other characteristics of the metabolic syndrome also are likely to have higher LDL-P levels than indicated by LDL-C testing, Schaefer said.
About the NMR LipoProfile test
Developed by James D. Otvos, Ph.D., and coworkers at North Carolina State University and introduced commercially in 1997, the NMR LipoProfile test employs novel magnetic resonance technology to measure directly the numbers of lipoprotein particles of different size in a patient's blood. Large, medium and small particle subclasses of VLDL, LDL and HDL are measured simultaneously in a rapid and fully automated process. LipoScience provides a patient's physician with a computerized report containing this lipoprotein particle information, highlighting abnormalities, to help guide individualized treatment decisions.
In addition, the NMR LipoProfile test is used in a wide range of clinical studies conducted by government, academic and pharmaceutical company researchers. By illuminating relationships between lipoprotein particles and cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other disorders, these studies seek to develop more effective prevention and treatment strategies. Results previously reported from the Cardiovascular Health Study, Women's Health Study, PLAC-I and VA-HIT, among others, have all shown LDL-P to predict future cardiovascular disease better than LDL-C. The present findings from the Framingham Offspring Study confirm and extend these earlier reports.
About LipoScience, Inc.
Headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., LipoScience develops and markets new clinical applications of NMR spectroscopy in the areas of cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders. Its flagship product, the NMR LipoProfile blood test, was introduced for clinical research in 1997 and for use in patient care in 1999. The test provides a direct and accurate count of the numbers of atherogenic LDL particles (LDL-P) and VLDL particles of different size, as well as the numbers of 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 moderately-high or high risk for having a cardiovascular event. The lipoprotein particle information is used as an adjunct to traditional cholesterol measures to help physicians assess and manage their patient's risk of cardiovascular disease more effectively.
Founded in 1994, LipoScience markets and sells the NMR LipoProfile test to physicians, other healthcare professionals, commercial diagnostic laboratories and clinical research clients. LipoScience works with prominent healthcare organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, Mayo Clinic, Harvard Medical School, Johns Hopkins, Columbia University, Northwestern University and Duke University, as well as most of the major pharmaceutical companies on a wide variety of research initiatives. To date, over 1.4 million NMR LipoProfile tests have been performed.
Onsite Interviews Available
Interviews at the AHA Scientific Sessions in New Orleans are available with:
- Dr. Ernst Schaefer, professor of medicine at Tufts University, by calling 781-258-1454. - Dr. James Otvos, founder and chief scientific officer of LipoScience, by calling 919-306-4430.
For more information, please contact Michelle Turenne at 919-306-4430 (cell) or mturenne@liposcience.com.LipoScience, Inc.
CONTACT: Michelle Turenne of LipoScience, Inc., +1-919-256-1306, orcell, +1-919-306-4430, or mturenne@liposcience.com
Web site: http://www.liposcience.com/
