Cholesterol profile measurement by vertical auto profile method.

Vertical auto profile (VAP) method is a direct single test for measuring comprehensive lipoprotein cholesterol profile. It is based on a well-established method of ultracentrifugation that uses vertical rotor and single density gradient spin. VAP provides cholesterol concentrations of total lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL), HDL subclasses (HDL2 and HDL3), LDL subclasses (LDL1, LDL2, LDL3, and LDL4), VLDL subclasses (VLDL1, VLDL2, and VLDL3), and LDL maximum time, which is directly proportional to LDL size. Because VAP measures additional lipoprotein classes, such as Lp(a), IDL, and subclasses of HDL, LDL, and VLDL, it can identify patients at high risk for coronary heart disease who cannot be identified using the standard lipid panel. In addition, the VAP method is compliant with the National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines.