Discovery Could Enable Earlier CV Disease Detection

US Pharm. 2017;42(5):36.

London, England—Research from Guy’s and St. Thomas’ and King’s College indicates that screening methods for cardiovascular (CV) diseases such as stroke and heart attack could be improved by measuring different biological signposts than those currently being assessed. Currently, the chief focus is on apolipoprotein (apo) A1 and apoB, which are the main components of HDL and LDL, respectively. Using mass spectrometry, researchers found that apoE, apoC2, and apoC3, which are associated with very-low-density lipoproteins and are linked predominantly to triglycerides, had a stronger association with CV disease than apoA1 and apoB did. This discovery could allow doctors to better predict the development of CV disease at an earlier stage, as well as offer patients more personalized treatment.