PLAC Test for Detecting Stoke & Heart Disease

Lp-PLA2 (Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2) is a blood vessel enzyme that is produced inside the plaque (or fat build up) in the arteries when the arteries are inflamed and the vulnerable plaque is in danger of rupture. It is found to be the second most predictive of heart attack risk. If the amount of Lp-PLA2 is high, this may indicate that the plaque is more likely to rupture through the inside lining of the artery into the bloodstream where it may cause a clot that could result in heart attack or stroke even with normal LDL cholesterol. Lp-PLA2 as a biomarker for cardiovascular risk stratification has been endorsed by various guidelines published by the American College of Cardiology Foundation/America Heart Association, the American Stroke Association, the American Association of clinical endocrinologists in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

A traditional Cholesterol test can miss hidden risks for heart attack and alone is not enough. More than 50% of heart attacks occur in patients with normal cholesterol. PLAC test is a simple blood test that measures the enzyme activity of Lp-PLA2 level in the body and clearly identifies the atherosclerotic disease process. It is a cardiovascular-specific inflammatory marker implicated in the formation of rupture-prone plaque.

Metropolis Healthcare Ltd, India’s leading multinational chain of diagnostic centers has become one of the few laboratories in Asia to offer PLAC Test. “PLAC test is second generation enzyme linked immunoassay test, helping doctors with prediction of future strokes and heart attack” says Dr Arvind Joshi, consultant cardiologist.