Shiel Medical Laboratory Announces New Cardiac Risk Assessment Test

Oxidized LDL / HDL Ratio Test Identifies 50 Percent More Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

New York (PRWEB) February 5, 2009 -- For years, researchers have known that Oxidized LDL (OxLDL) is the culprit module in the coronary artery disease (CAD) process, but until recently there was no reliable way of measuring it.

Shiel Medical Laboratory, headquartered in Brooklyn, NY, announced recently a new test that can identify high levels of OxLDL in the blood stream. According to a study "Improved Identification of Patients With Coronary Artery Disease by the Use of New Lipid and Lipoprotein Biomarkers" published in the American Journal of Cardiology; "Oxidized LDL is the most powerful lipid biomarker for identifying patients with Coronary Artery Disease.

When OxLDL measurement is tested in conjunction with an HDL test, its CAD identification almost doubles. Additionally, in research conducted by Harold Bates, Ph.D., at Shiel's Laboratory on over 3,000 patients, Dr. Bates was able to identify 50 percent more patients with coronary artery disease using the OxLDL/HDL ratio than by reviewing the traditional lipid panel alone.

Oxidized LDL is a plaque specific protein. The CAD process cannot initiate or progress until the oxidation of LDL occurs. Oxidized LDL is the atherogenic form of LDL and is responsible for the deposition of plaque in the arteries. HDL is anti-atherogenic and removes plaque. Oxidized LDL/HDL is the only blood test that reflects atherosclerotic disease activity in the artery wall. Shiel's panel measures circulating Oxidized LDL and HDL, and a risk ratio is calculated.

Adding the Oxidized LDL/HDL ratio test to traditional lipid testing will allow physicians to significantly improve identification of patients with increased CAD risk. The new OxLDL/HDL ratio test is a critical tool for cardiac health evaluation, and in time likely to become the standard of care in CAD risk assessment and CAD treatment follow-up. Shiel has validated the Oxidized LDL / HDL Test with the New York State Dept. of Health, and it is reimbursed by insurance companies. Reprints of various studies, including the one referenced above, will be provided upon request.

About Shiel Medical Laboratory
In business since 1919, Shiel Medical Laboratory's main lab facility is located in the historic Brooklyn Navy Yard. Their 35,000 square foot laboratory allows Shiel to service clientele with the highest level of efficiency and accuracy, while maintaining their position as the fastest growing regional laboratory in the New York Metropolitan area. Shiel's state of the art facility provides physicians and patients with an expansive range of clinical laboratory testing services. Their commitment to accuracy, reliability and efficiency makes Shiel a respected choice for quality clinical diagnostics. For more information, visit www.shiel.com or contact Tod Schild at the contact information above.

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