U.S. Approves Blood Test to Screen for Stroke Risk

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The PLAC test, already used to screen for heart problems, won U.S. approval to help predict a patient's risk for stroke, officials for the test's manufacturer diaDexus said on Friday.

The test detects high levels of the protein lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-Pla2), which studies found were more common in stroke patients.

"The PLAC test provides new information, over and above traditional risk factors, that can guide physicians and patients to make the necessary changes that may prevent patients from suffering cardiovascular disease and events, like stroke and heart attack," diaDexus Chief Executive Officer Patrick Plewman said.

A study followed 12,773 people for about 6 years, during which some had strokes. Researchers found levels of the protein were higher in the stroke cases than in people who did not have one.

The test, first approved for heart disease in 2003, will be available through national laboratories, including Quest Diagnostics Inc.