By measuring levels of Lp-PLA₂ (lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A₂), a cardiovascular-specific inflammatory enzyme implicated in the formation of vulnerable, rupture-prone plaques, the PLAC test provides important information specific to your patient's risk of an ischemic stroke or coronary event.

The PLAC test is a blood test that was cleared by the FDA for the quantitative determination of Lp-PLA₂ in human plasma to be used in conjunction with clinical evaluation and patient risk assessment as an aid in predicting risk for coronary heart disease, and ischemic stroke associated with atherosclerosis.

Predictive. Powerful. Specific.

• Predictive
  
  • Levels of Lp-PLA₂ have been found to be significantly higher in cases of ischemic stroke, while LDL-C levels typically have not
  • Lp-PLA₂ can help identify stroke-prone hypertensive patients
  • Lp-PLA₂ is a strong risk factor for stroke and CHD, statistically independent of traditional risk factors as well as markers of systemic inflammation, such as CRP and fibrinogen
  • The PLAC test provides you with a clearer picture to help determine the right risk reduction strategy that can prevent your patients from suffering an ischemic stroke or heart attack
• Powerful
  
  • Individuals with elevated Lp-PLA₂ levels double an individual's risk of stroke or coronary event, independent of traditional risk factors
  • Individuals with the highest levels of Lp-PLA₂ and systolic blood pressure had a sixfold higher risk of suffering an ischemic stroke
• Specific
  
  • Lp-PLA₂ is a cardiovascular-specific inflammatory enzyme implicated in the formation of vulnerable, rupture-prone plaque
  • The PLAC test reports consistent and reliable values that do not typically fluctuate during acute systemic inflammation
  • Because Lp-PLA₂ is not typically elevated by other concomitant inflammatory conditions, it can easily be used in all necessary patients to gather accurate cardiovascular risk information

 

The PLAC test is a high-complexity test as categorized under CLIA 88 and must be run in laboratories that are CLIA-certified as highly complex.

The Science of Lp-PLA₂
For information about the basic science behind the PLAC test, click here. For papers, studies, slide sets and other resources on the science of Lp-PLA₂, click below.