The test, called the PREVU Point of Care Sterol Test, is a non-invasive way to measure skin tissue cholesterol in some patients. Cholesterol is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

In a study presented at the annual Canadian Cardiovascular Congress, on October 25, physicians gave the results from 300 patients with proven coronary artery disease, 90 percent of whom were on statin medications. They found that skin sterol levels were elevated in high-risk patients, and there was a positive correlation between skin sterol levels and chest pain and diabetes.

These findings so far seem limited to patients with established CAD who are taking cholesterol-lowering medications. Previous studies have shown there is no correlation between skin sterol levels and blood cholesterol levels in patients who are not taking cholesterol-lowering medications.

However, there is an established link between skin sterol levels and history of heart attacks, as well a relationship between skin sterol and various cardiovascular risk factors.

For patients with a previous history of heart disease, including CAD, and who are on statin medications, the new test might provide physicians with a non-invasive tool to classify them based on risk levels.

"Our findings confirm previous clinical evidence that skin sterol provides new information about heart disease risk independent of blood cholesterol and other traditional risk factors," said Dr. Milan Gupta, assistant clinical professor, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, in Hamilton, Ontario, and investigator in the clinical trial.

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