Other Cardiac Tests Clinical Chemistry Review 103
- National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III.
Coronary artery disease (CAD, atherosclerosis) = coronary heart disease (CHD).
TEST CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Tests for Heart Failure
B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) Released from heart muscle of left ventricle when fluid builds from heart failure. Acts on kidneys
to ↑excretion of fluid.
Tests to Assess Risk of Coronary
Artery Disease (CAD)
Cardiac C-reactive protein (cCRP) High-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) to ID individuals at risk of cardiovascular disease. Nonspecific marker
of inflammation. Best single biomarker for predicting cardiovascular events. Test on 2 occasions
because of individual variability. Methods: nephelometry, immunoassay.
Total cholesterol Limited value for predicting risk of CAD by itself. Used in conjunction with HDL & LDL cholesterol.
Desirable: <200 mg/dL.*
HDL cholesterol Inversely related to risk of CAD. Low levels are risk factor. Desirable: ≥60 mg/dL.*
LDL cholesterol Major cause of CAD. Primary target of therapy. Optimal: <100 mg/dL.*
Triglycerides Independent risk factor for CAD. Desirable level: <150 mg/dL.*
