New blood test may predict heart attacks

A research study led by Scripps Translational Science Institute shows that a new blood test may be useful for predicting the possibility of an imminent heart attack. The study concludes that circulating endothelial cells (CEC) from heart attack patients were large and misshapen, often appearing with multiple nuclei. This indicates that CECs are possible biomarkers for the prediction of acute ongoing arterial plaque rupture. The findings of this study offer a significant benefit to the healthcare and patient community. More than 2.5 million individuals in the US experience a heart attack or ischemic stroke every year, most commonly because of obstructive coronary artery disease. There is hope that this test would be developed for commercial use in the next year or two.