Siemens Highlights Cardiac-Specific C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP) Test a...( hsCRP test used in JUPITER trial exte...),Health

hsCRP test used in JUPITER trial extended across portfolio

ORLANDO, Fla., March 24 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a guidance document issued by the FDA(1), not all high sensitivity CRP (c-reactive protein) tests are cleared to identify and assess individuals at risk for future cardiovascular disease. Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics was the first company in the industry to introduce an hsCRP test cleared by the FDA with the cardiac-specific claim allowing its use as a predictor of risk for cardiovascular disease. The test was differentiated as the CardioPhase hsCRP test, and cleared with the cardiac-specific claim in January 2004 for use on the BN(TM) nephelometry systems. With the launch of this test on its ADVIA(R) chemistry systems, Siemens extends use of a cardiac-specific hsCRP test across six leading-brand instrument platforms.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070904/SIEMENSLOGO )

The JUPITER trial (Justification for the Use of statins in Primary prevention: an Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin) specifically investigated the effect of statin therapy in apparently healthy individuals. The patients tested had low LDL cholesterol levels (<130 mg/dL), but elevated CRP levels (>2 mg/L), as determined by Siemens' BN II CardioPhase hsCRP test(2). The JUPITER trial concluded early because the statin therapy was significantly more beneficial than placebo in reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality by 43 percent(3).

Siemens will offer educational materials about the cardiac utility of the hsCRP test in the company's booth (#1842) at the upcoming 58th Annual Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) from March 29-31 in Orlando, Fla. On-site blood draws will also be offered for hsCRP test
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