Lp-PLA2 PLAC Cardiac Risk Marker Test

Lp-PLA2-PLAC-Cardiac-Risk-Marker is a test used in measuring the amount of lipoprotein associated phospholipase (Lp-PLA2) in blood. Lp-PLA2 is an enzyme associated with low- density lipoprotein (LDL). Lp-PLA2 is carried to the coronary artery walls by LDL, where it causes an inflammatory response. This condition will cause plaque if present more prone to rupture as the Lp-PLA2 enzyme is known to cause inflammation of coronary artery walls. Hence, high levels of Lp-PLA2 will indicate an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. As a result, PLAC Test, which measures the levels of Lp-PLA2, is considered as a specific independent coronary marker.

Wear a half-sleeved shirt on as full-sleeved shirt might pose difficulty in pulling up the sleeves. Do not wear sweater or jacket. No specific requirement is required for this test. Fasting is not necessary and the patient may continue taking any medication that the patient is already taking. If your blood sample is needed for other tests then fasting may be required in some cases. Please kindly follow the instructions given by the lab.

A higher Lp-PLA2 Enzyme level in the body indicates a higher risk of Coronary Artery Diseases (CVD) which also implies a higher risk of heart attack and an increased possibility of stroke. Expected Values for i-Plaq Test:

• < 560 U/L – Low Risk
• 560 – 619 U/L – Intermediate Risk
• 620 – 634 U/L – Borderline Risk
• >= 635 – High Risk

About 1 ml or just 2 teaspoons of the blood sample will be drawn from your body. This test needs to be conducted in a well-equipped diagnostic lab with Lp-PLA2-PLAC test facility. The skin is cleaned with an alcohol pad. In the next step, the needle will be inserted in to the body through the vein which is easily visible over the cleaned skin. The blood sample will be collected through the tube attached to the needle. The tube is separated from the needle and closed with a lid and with the patient’s name on it. The blood sample is finally sent in to the research laboratory for testing.