Are you missing high risk patients in your cardiology practice?

For years, coronary artery disease (CAD) risk assessment has relied on traditional ASCVD models, incorporating risk factors such as LDL-C, systolic blood pressure, smoking history, and diabetes. While these clinical indicators provide valuable insights, they fail to capture the full spectrum of risk, especially in patients with a strong genetic predisposition to CAD.

Genetics plays a critical role in atherosclerotic plaque development and disease progression. However, traditional models do not account for polygenic risk, leaving many high risk patients unidentified.

Allelica Multi-Ancestry CAD Polygenic Risk Score (PRS) testing bridges this gap by incorporating genetic insights into risk assessment, ensuring that clinicians can identify high-risk individuals earlier and intervene more effectively.

Why Traditional Risk Models Are Not Enough

Standard ASCVD risk calculators assess a limited set of modifiable risk factors, but they overlook the polygenic contribution to CAD. This can lead to misclassification of risk, delaying preventive treatment for those who need it most.

• Hidden high risk patients: Individuals with normal LDL-C levels but high PRS may go undiagnosed and untreated.
• Missed opportunities for prevention: Without genetic insights, statins or lipid lowering therapies may not be prescribed early enough to slow disease progression.
• Limited personalization: Traditional models treat all patients the same, missing those who require more intensive intervention.

A Clinical Case: How Allelica Multi-Ancestry CAD PRS Identifies Hidden Risk

Two similar 40-year-old male patients present with LDL-C of 130 mg/dL, no hypertension, no diabetes, and no history of smoking. Based on traditional ASCVD risk models, both appear to have a low 10-year risk of CAD, meaning lipid-lowering therapy would not be recommended.

However, when assessed using Allelica Multi-Ancestry CAD PRS, a critical distinction emerges. One patient has an average genetic risk, confirming his low risk classification. Another, however, has a high Allelica Multi-Ancestry CAD PRS score, indicating that his plaque accumulation is progressing at a rate similar to someone with LDL-C of over 190 mg/dL.

Without PRS testing, this high-risk individual would remain undetected, missing the opportunity for lifesaving preventive care. Traditional risk models do not account for genetic predisposition, which means nearly 20% of high risk individuals could be overlooked. By integrating Allelica Multi-Ancestry CAD PRS, clinicians can identify these patients earlier and intervene with targeted lipid lowering therapies and lifestyle modifications before symptoms develop.

How Allelica Multi-Ancestry CAD PRS Enhances Risk Assessment

• Improves risk stratification by identifying high-risk individuals who appear low or intermediate risk based on traditional models.
• Supports earlier intervention, ensuring timely use of statins, lipid lowering therapies, and lifestyle modifications.
• Integrates smoothly into clinical workflows, complementing traditional risk models without replacing them.
• Increases confidence in clinical decision-making, allowing for evidence based, precision treatment plans.

Bringing Precision Medicine to Cardiology

By integrating Allelica Multi-Ancestry CAD PRS into routine cardiovascular risk assessment, cardiologists can move beyond conventional models and take a proactive approach to CAD prevention.

For more information on implementing PRS testing in your practice, send us a message today.