Metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance are fast becoming additions to the battery of health issues that obstetricians and gynecologists treat. Left unchecked, a woman with these conditions is at a much higher risk of cardiovascular health disorders and disease. Cardiodiagnostic company Atherotech Diagnostics Lab is helping physicians in the OB/GYN discipline to understand metabolic syndrome abnormalities and their female patients' risk of future heart disease.

"OB/GYN physicians are seeing a growing trend in women using them for primary care, giving them an opportunity to bring awareness of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance among their patients," Atherotech President and CEO Mike Mullen said. "Our company is uniquely positioned to work with these physicians to help them identify and manage their patients at risk."

Atherotech's patented VAP® Cholesterol Test is a comprehensive lipid profile that identifies markers of metabolic syndrome, often associated with early diabetes. Within the last six months, the number of OB/GYN physicians ordering the VAP Test has doubled, and the number of women who have received VAP Tests from this market has tripled.

"We are trying to serve primary care physicians, including OB/GYN physicians, who manage women's health issues such as PCOS, infertility, post- and peri-menopause and cardiovascular risk," Mullen continued.

Atherotech Diagnostics Lab will exhibit its VAP Test at the 2010 American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) District VII, VIII, IX, and XI Joint Annual District Meeting held October 14-16 at the Grand Wailea Resort in Maui, Hawaii. Districts VII, VIII, IX, and XI include physicians and representatives from Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, California, Texas, Central America, Mexico, American Samoa, Guam and Canadian provinces Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon Territory and Northwest Territory.

Attending the meeting is Steven Foley, M.D., a Colorado Springs, Colo., gynecologist who routinely administers the VAP Cholesterol Test to patients at their annual exam.

"Acting as primary caregivers, OB/GYNs are in a unique position to discuss metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance with their patients and incorporate the VAP Test as a standard part of their patients' annual exams," said Foley, who specializes in the identification and treatment of patients suffering from PCOS. "A more accurate lipid profile, such as the VAP Test, is easy to obtain, easy to administer - because fasting isn't required - and allows physicians to initiate treatment or refer patients for specialized care."

Atherotech's VAP Test is the only expanded lipid test that routinely reports directly measured LDL-C, which is included in the 22 reported cholesterol components - all at no additional cost. Cholesterol subclasses include Lp(a), apoB, apoA1, and the apoB/apoA1 ratio, making the VAP Test the only lipid profile that routinely reports all three lipid parameters - LDL, non-HDL and apoB - considered necessary by the American Diabetes Association and American College of Cardiology.

Atherotech Diagnostics Lab representatives will be available to discuss new research, the VAP Test and cardiometabolic test options throughout the ACOG gathering. Blood draws will be provided to qualified attendees during regular exhibit hours at booth #114. Unlike the standard lipid profile, the VAP Test directly measures LDL; therefore, fasting is not required.

Atherotech provides physicians with a single source for the VAP Cholesterol Test and more than a dozen cardiovascular and metabolic tests, including C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP), LpPLA2, apoE genotype, NT-proBNP, Cystatin-C, T3 and T4 when TSH is abnormal, plus gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), a recognized cardiovascular risk biomarker.

Source:
Atherotech Diagnostics Lab