SmartLab 2.0 in cardiovascular prevention of atherogenic dyslipidemia

Introduction

SmartLab 2.0 is an innovative concept of multidisciplinary collaboration between the clinical laboratory and the diabetes day unit that was born with the aim of identifying patients at high cardiovascular risk who require priority attention, such as patients with atherogenic dyslipidemia, in order to create a cardiovascular prevention strategy.

Objective

Implementation in the Laboratory Information System (LIS) of an automated biochemical algorithm for the identification of patients with atherogenic dyslipidemia in routine analyses and priority referral to the diabetes day unit.

Material and methods

The algorithm designed in the SIL was: HBA1c > 9.3 + TG > 150 mg/dl + HDLc < 40 mg/dl + LDL/ApoB < 1.3. A comment was inserted alerting the requesting physician of the diagnosis of atherogenic dyslipidemia and priority referral was made from the laboratory to the diabetes day unit in the necessary cases.

Results

In the 1-year period, a total of 899 patients with HBA1c > 7 and atherogenic dyslipidemia criteria were identified. Of these, 203 patients from primary care with HbA1c > 9.3 were referred to the diabetes day hospital.

Conclusions

Reinforcement of cardiovascular prevention is necessary at all levels. The clinical laboratory should play a fundamental role in the diagnosis of dyslipidemias. Early detection of patients at high cardiovascular risk is essential and collaboration between the different clinical units is fundamental to guarantee patient safety.