Predicting coronary artery disease might one day be possible through a simple urine test, German researchers report.
The new test involves looking for fragments of the protein collagen in the urine. Collagen plays a major role in blocking heart arteries.
Researchers found their urine test was 84 per cent accurate when compared to the current method or predicting coronary artery disease: coronary angiography. That invasive test involves inserting a catheter into a blood vessel and threading it to the coronary arteries of the heart.
But the study was a small one and researchers say they need to return to animal models for more answers before testing the urine test further in humans.
Study author Dr. Constantin von zur Muehlen, a fellow in cardiology at University Hospital Freiberg, says the idea of the urine test is to look for collagen, which forms a fibrous cap on the lining of the arteries. These caps produce collagen fragments, called proteomes.
Muehlen's team found 17 proteomes that can only be found in coronary artery disease patients. High concentrations of those proteomes in urine can signal artery disease, he said.
For this study, a total of 67 people with symptoms of coronary artery disease were asked to provide urine samples, which were then analyzed to detect proteomes.
When the results were compared to the results from coronary angiography, the urine tests were found to be 84 per cent accurate
"Our data suggest that proteome analysis shows great promise. It is easy to use, shows a high reproducibility and does not hurt," Muehlen said.
He reported the findings Wednesday at the American Heart Association's Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology conference in Washington, D.C.
Doctors say they have been searching for ways to diagnose coronary artery disease without the use an angiogram. Other research has focused on looking for other biomarkers in urine, such as albumin. But so far, no accurate test has emerged.
Muehlen says he and his team will work further on the test to enhance its ability to predict artery disease, working with a strain of mice genetically engineered to develop coronary artery disease as they age.
