PLAC Test to Determine Cardiovascular Diseases


Metropolis Healthcare Ltd, India’s leading multinational chain of diagnostic centers has become one of the few laboratories in Asia to offer PLAC Test. It is a risk stratification test which identifies the enzyme in the blood vessels. Plac test is a simple blood test that measures the enzyme activity of Lp-PLA2 level in the body. It is a cardiovascular-specific inflammatory marker implicated in the formation of rupture-prone plaque.

Lp-PLA2 (Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2) is a blood vessel enzyme, found to be the second most predictive of heart attack risk, also warns of vulnerable plaque that could erupt like a volcano. The higher the level of Lp-PLA2, the higher the risk of CV events i.e., Heart attack and stroke - even with normal LDL cholesterol. Lp-PLA2 as a biomarker for cardiovascular risk stratification has been endorsed by various guidelines published by the American College of Cardiology Foundation/America Heart Association, the American Stroke Association, the American Association of clinical endocrinologists in 2010, 2011 and 2012.


“PLAC Test is a simple blood test that assesses your cardiac health. Cholesterol testing alone is not enough; a traditional Cholesterol test can miss hidden risks for heart attack. More than 50% of heart attacks occur in patients with normal cholesterol; rather most cardiovascular (CV) events i.e., Heart attack and stroke are caused due to rupture of plaque that is formed by cholesterol deposition in the blood vessels” Said Dr. Rajesh Bendre, head of department – Immunochemistry & special Immunochemistry, Metropolis Healthcare Ltd.

In heart diseases, it's known that an unhealthy lifestyle that includes fatty foods, excess alcohol and smoking dramatically increases the risk of a stroke. This drives up cholesterol levels and increases blood pressure. Blood vessels become clogged with fatty deposits that can dislodge and make their way to the brain, depriving it of vital oxygen. However, doctors acknowledge that a significant number of people fall victim to strokes despite having no obvious risk factors.

“Eventually the unstable plaque can rupture, turn into potential lethal clots and debris loose in bloodstream—causing a stroke or a heart attack. PLAC test is second generation enzyme linked immunoassay test, helping doctors with prediction of future strokes and heart attack” says Dr Arvind Joshi, consultant cardiologist.

ABOUT METROPOLIS HEALTHCARE LTD.

 At Metropolis, what we believe is what we say and what we say is what we do. Being empathetic to our customers and being committed to their needs is in our DNA. Metropolis has grown to harness a culture that is open, synergistic, progressive and scientific in nature.

We are the Pathology Specialists delivering over 15 million tests a year, catering to more than 10,000 Laboratories, Hospitals, Nursing homes and 2,00,000 Consultants. With 33 years of experience in delivering accurate reports, Metropolis has earned the reputation of being India's most respected and only multinational chain of diagnostic centres with presence in UAE, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Kenya, Mauritius and Ghana.

 Driven to make a difference, our wide network includes 105 state-of-art Laboratories across India with over 700 collection centres, processing over 4500 varieties of tests and supported by an efficient team of more than 3000 people. Equipped with cutting edge technology, innovative


work equipment, expansive logistics network and rigorous processes, Metropolis ensures and delivers precision and accuracy in every single test; each time, every time.

 In the last 10 years, Metropolis has expanded into new service lines like Clinical Trials, Hospital Lab Management, Home Health Services, Preventive Health Check-ups and Corporate & Wellness Solutions. Metropolis is at the forefront in adopting cutting edge technologies and services that contribute new revenue streams and has positioned the company on the pedestal it is today.

Today, we are one of the few laboratories that has received the CAP (College of American Pathologists), accreditation, the global gold standard in Laboratory Accreditation. 12 of our laboratories in India has received the NABL Accreditation (National Accreditation Board for testing and Calibration Laboratories). In addition, the central laboratory in Mumbai also adheres to CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) program and also follows the guidelines laid by GCP and GLP. Our unit in South Africa is accredited by SANAS (South African National Accreditation System is the only accreditation body approved by South African Government).

Metropolis has been awarded numerous accolades like the ‘Best Diagnostic Company of the year’ by Modern Medicare in 2006 and ‘Best Diagnostic Company of the Year’ in 2010 by Frost & Sullivan. Metropolis was also bestowed with ‘Best IT Integration in Customer Service Management’ at the e-Health World Expo 2011. Metropolis was also honoured with the ‘Quality Brand Award’ by NEHRDO in 2012. Metropolis won the ‘CMO Asia Award’ for Best IT practices in Healthcare in 2012.


 Metropolis Healthcare is led by Ameera Shah, Managing Director & CEO. An International & National Award winners, she was conferred with ‘The Young entrepreneur of the Year Award’ by GE in 2006 and ‘The Young Achiever of the Year Award’ at the CMO Asia Awards in 2011. She was also the recipient of the prestigious ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award’ in 2011 organised by Entrepreneur India and Bloomberg. She has been honoured with ‘Women Leadership award’ at the World Women Leadership and Congress awards 2014.  Recently she has been chosen as one of the most respected leaders under 40 years by Economic Times & Spencer Stuart (2014).
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