Vertical auto profile

Vertical Auto Profile (VAP) is a method used in clinical laboratory testing to measure and analyze the lipoprotein subclasses present in a blood sample. This method provides a detailed profile of the patient's lipid levels, which can be used to assess their risk of cardiovascular disease and other health conditions.

Overview

The Vertical Auto Profile test is a specialized form of ultracentrifugation, a process that separates substances based on their density. In the context of lipid testing, ultracentrifugation is used to separate the different lipoprotein subclasses present in a blood sample. The VAP test provides a more detailed analysis than traditional lipid tests, which typically only measure total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.

Procedure

The VAP test begins with a standard blood draw. The blood sample is then placed in a centrifuge, where it is spun at high speed to separate the different lipoprotein subclasses. The resulting profile provides detailed information about the patient's lipid levels, including the levels of LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, as well as the size and density of the lipoprotein particles.

Clinical Significance

The detailed information provided by the VAP test can help healthcare providers assess a patient's risk of cardiovascular disease more accurately than traditional lipid tests. For example, research has shown that small, dense LDL particles are more atherogenic (likely to cause atherosclerosis) than larger, less dense particles. By identifying the presence of these particles, the VAP test can help identify patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease, even if their total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels are normal.

Limitations

While the VAP test provides more detailed information than traditional lipid tests, it is also more expensive and time-consuming. In addition, the clinical significance of some of the information provided by the VAP test, such as the size and density of lipoprotein particles, is still a subject of ongoing research.