Latest News
Lp-PLA2 Testing Recommended in Major Guidelines
January 2011
Two major guidelines were recently published that include
recommendations for Lp-PLA2 testing. The 2010 ACCF/AHA Guideline for Assessment of Cardiovascular Risk in Asymptomatic Adults and the AHA/ASA Guidelines for the Primary Prevention of Stroke both included recommendations for the use of Lp-PLA2 testing in a clinical setting. For more information, please click here. 
The Lancet - May 2010
Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 and risk of coronary disease, stroke, and mortality: collaborative analysis of 32 prospective studies
A meta-analysis of approximately 80,000 individuals from 32 prospective studies was published in The Lancet on May 1, 2010. The data shows that elevated levels of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), a vascular-specific inflammatory enzyme, are associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease similar in magnitude to that with non-HDL cholesterol or systolic blood pressure. The analysis by the Lp-PLA2 Studies Collaboration entitled, “Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 and risk of coronary disease, stroke, and mortality: collaborative analysis of 32 prospective studies,” was led by Drs. Alexander Thompson and John Danesh of The University of Cambridge, England.
Discoveries & Breakthroughs Inside Science - August 2009
Blood Test Predicts Stroke
The Discoveries & Breakthroughs “Inside Science” segment featuring Dr. Richard Karas and the PLAC Test has been posted to the DBIS website. It includes a film segment on the PLAC Test and uncovering hidden risk for heart disease and ischemic stroke. It positions the PLAC Test as a great tool to help identify people at an increased risk that are not caught by traditional risk assessment.
Physician's Weekly - August 2009
Markers of Arterial Inflammation
by Dr. Bradley Bale
The article titled, “Markers of Arterial Inflammation” contributed by Dr. Bradley Bale appears in the August 31 edition of Physician’s Weekly. A news partner of Pri-Med, the publication reaches over 200,000 practicing clinicians and is also available online at www.physweekly.com. The article that discusses hs-CRP and Lp-PLA2 as key markers of arterial inflammation, but highlights and focuses on the clinical validity of Lp-PLA2 to a very important audience for diaDexus.
WomenOf.com - August 2009
Coronary Heart Disease and Ischemic Stroke Predicted
by
Dr. Leonard Moss
Dr. Moss recently published an article in WomenOf.com, an online women's magazine that delivers usable information to women on topics ranging from career-business, health, family, style and travel to entertainment with 500,000 unique visitors per month. In his article, Dr. Moss positions the PLAC Test as an FDA-cleared test that detects hidden risk for coronary heart disease and ischemic stroke.
WebMD Blog - August 2009
Markers of Cardiovascular Risk - PLAC Test
by Michael Richman, MD, FACS
Dr Michael Richman contrinutes an article to the "Cholesterol Management 101" section of the WebMD Blog in which he discusses the benefits of the PLAC Test.
Cardiovascular Business - July 2009
New Cardiac Biomarkers Target Plaque, Protein & Patelets
by C.P. Kaiser
While well-established cardiovascular biomarkers still play a major role in clinical practice, many more biomarkers are vying for clinical attention. Four biomarkers are discussed in detail.
ADVANCE for Administrators of the Laboratory - July 2009
Arterial Inflammation Biomarkers.
Which should your lab offer for routine testing? by Bradley Field Bale, MD
Dr. Bradley Bale contributed an article to ADVANCE for Administraotors of the Laboratory discussing the benefits of Arterial Inflammation Biomarkers. Of the four markers he describes, Lp-PLA2 is mentioned and directly linked to the evolution of atherosclerosis.
SeniorJournal.com - May 20, 2009
New Protection from Coronary Heart Disease is Avoiding Plaque Rupture with PLAC Test by Dr. Paul Ziajka
Dr. Ziajka recently contributed an article to the Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens section of SeniorJournal.com. He discussed the importance of testing for rupture-prone plaque in senior citizens with the PLAC Test and included a brief animation of how rupture-prone plaque is created.
KFDX 3 News - May 15, 2009
Dr. Michael Wegner, Director of Medical Affairs for diaDexus, visited Bowie Memorial Hospital to discuss the advances in the detection of rupture-prone plaque. Bowie Memorial Hospital is currently the only facility in the Texoma area with the capability to offer PLAC Test for Lp-PLA2.
Prevention - May 2009
Healthy Power Pairs by Danielle Kosecki
PLAC Test + hsCRP. These tests measure Lp-PLA2 and CRP levels, two important markers of the kind of inflammation caused by the accumulation of plaque in your ateries - a big predictor of heart disease. When doctors added the results of these screenings to their usual assessment of risk factors (blood pressure, cholesterol, etc.) they ended up reclassifying 39% of intermediate-risk patients - including 11% who were in need of more serious treatment - reports a new study published in the journal Stroke. Many of these patients may now be candidates for statins.
Senior Observer - April 20, 2009
Paul Ziaika, MD, director of the Florida Lipid Institute in Winter Park, FL is one of the first doctos in Winter Park to use a new FDA-approved test that helps identify hidden risk for heart attack and stroke for his patients. It's called the PLAC Test.
The Doctors - March 20, 2009
"The Doctors," a nationally syndicated televison program, aired a segment about women's heart health in their 40’s which highlighted the PLAC Test, a new tool physicians are using to detect hidden risk of heart disease and ischemic stroke. The show’s physician explains the atherosclerotic process highlighting how Lp-PLA2 builds up in the artery walls and can cause a plaque rupture that can lead to a blood clot. The results of one woman's blood work were revealed on the show finding that she was at high risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke.
Woman’s World - March 16, 2009
Ask your doctor for this test! By Amy Capetta
PLAC Test Patient Francis Thornberry’s experience with test is featured in the “Medical Breakthroughs” section.
Univision.com - February 26, 2009
El riesgo de ataque al corazón By Paola Ortiz
Dr. Bradley Bale provides commentary about identifying and reducing risk for suffering a heart attack including use of the PLAC Test.
Forbes.com - February 2, 2009
How to Avoid a Heart Attack By Rebecca Ruiz
Dr. Howard Weintraub provides commentary for this article, which features Retired NFL player Dave O’Brien’s experience with the PLAC Test.
Figure - February 2009
Take this heart health test By Linda Wasmer
The PLAC Test is featured on the health news page of the magazine; readers are encouraged to ask their doctors about the PLAC Test.
HealthDay - January 8, 2009
Inflammation Markers May Help Predict Stroke Risk By Ed Edelson
Dr. Nambi and Dr. Philip Gorelick provide commentary for this article focusing on a recent study published in the journal STROKE that demonstrated the value of testing for Lp-PLA2, in addition to traditional risk factors, to best determine one’s risk for stroke.
Saturday Evening Post - January 2009
Are You as Healthy as You Think? The PLAC Test is featured in the Medical Update section.
Only a Game - December 5, 2008
Former NFL Players Check their Heart Health Coverage features sound bites from Dr. Archie Roberts and PLAC Test patient Dave O’Brien who discuss the test and how it is used at cardiovascular screening events held by the Living Heart Foundation.
SeniorJournal.com - October 29, 2008
PLAC Test to Get Tested on Defensive Line for Heart Attack, Stroke of NFL Retirees By Tucker Sutherland
The article discusses the PLAC Test and its use at Living Heart Foundation events geared for retired NFL players. PLAC Test patient Dave O’Brien and Dr. Archie Roberts are quoted in the piece.