The discovery of a biomarker readily measured in blood could be a significant step towards preventing sudden deaths.
Plasma 4?-hydroxycholesterol (4?HC) measurement could offer a possibility to predict and prevent sudden cardiac deaths in men with coronary artery disease, according to a study by the University of Oulu, Finland. The study found that high levels of 4?HC were associated with total mortality, cardiac mortality and especially sudden cardiac death in men. The significance of 4?HC levels has not been previously studied in patients with coronary artery disease.
