The test can detect 15 different subclasses of cholesterol-containing lipoproteins found in blood.
Lipoproteins are particles that package cholesterol, allowing it to be transported in the blood.
This is the first test that can measure many different sizes of lipoproteins. There are plenty of examples of individuals who have identical levels of total cholesterol, bad cholesterol and good cholesterol, but have very different risks of coronary artery disease. Blood cholesterol tests are used to help determine if a person has elevated cholesterol, a major risk factor for heart disease. However, using Otvos's new technology, medical researchers have found that certain sizes of LDL are not as dangerous as others. A computer unscrambles the radio signals and determines which subclasses of lipoproteins are present and in what concentrations.