Acute AtherothrombosisBGM AMIPredict Atherosclerosis is a systemic disease that is characterized by the buildup of lipid-rich plaques within the walls of the large arteries. Atherosclerosis is by far the most common cause of coronary heart disease and it underlies the clinical conditions of heart attack, chronic stable angina, stroke and peripheral vascular disease. According to the American Heart Association, it is estimated that in the United States alone, over one million people die annually from the complications of these conditions and that the total yearly cost of treating these diseases exceeds $360 billion. Atherothrombosis, the final step in atherosclerosis, involves the acute disruption of plaque with superimposed thrombosis. The resulting blood clot formation can block the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart or brain, causing heart attacks and strokes. Most heart attacks and strokes occur as the consequence of acute atherothrombosis in individuals with low or intermediate risk profiles according to traditional risk factor-based approaches recommended in the United States and Europe. BG Medicine is developing a test that is referred to as AMIPredict, a multivariate biomarker blood-based test for atherothrombotic cardiovascular disease, commonly known as vulnerable plaque. This is a non-invasive test designed to identify patients with a high risk for suffering heart attack or stroke within the next two to four years. Our development work to date suggests that AMIPredict could be an improved diagnostic test compared to conventional risk factor-based approaches for heart attack and stroke risk, such as the Framingham Risk Score in the United States and the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation in Europe. We are currently preparing to conduct additional studies intended to validate our previous findings.
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