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Lipoprotein Particle Analysis

Meaning

Lipoprotein particle analysis is an advanced diagnostic test that provides a detailed measurement of the number and size distribution of various lipoprotein subclasses, specifically including LDL, HDL, and VLDL particles, rather than simply measuring the mass of cholesterol within them. This granular assessment offers a significantly more precise evaluation of cardiovascular risk compared to the standard lipid panel, which reports only bulk cholesterol levels. The concentration of small, dense LDL particles, for example, is often a superior predictor of atherosclerotic progression than total LDL cholesterol mass alone. Clinicians utilize this detailed profile to tailor therapeutic interventions, such as dietary changes or pharmacologic agents, more effectively.