Test Description

The ST2 cardiac biomarker is a novel biomarker of cardiac stress. ST2 signals the presence and severity of adverse cardiac remodeling and tissue fibrosis, which occurs in response to myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, or worsening heart failure.

When should this test be ordered?
This test is used for aiding in prognosis for patients diagnosed with chronic heart failure
High Risk · >= 35.1 (ng/mL)
Heart failure patients with elevated ST2 concentrations should be treated and monitored according to established guidelines. Consider Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and aldosterone antagonists.
Borderline Risk ·
None determined for this test.
Low Risk · 0 - 35 (ng/mL)
Within Reference Range
Testing Method Used
ELISA

Sample is stable for 7 days at 2-8°C

Please ship samples daily.
Improvements and Prevention
Please discuss with your healthcare practitioner.
Specimen Type
Serum
Fasting Required
No, but may be done with other tests that requires fasting.
Drawing and Processing
  1. Draw from a vein into a SST tube
  2. Invert tube (do not shake) 1-2 times to mix adequately
  3. Let stand upright in tube rack for 30 minutes
  4. Centrifuge for 15 minutes at 3300rpm
  5. Do not leave at room temperature for more than 1 hour
  6. Keep cold in a refrigerator to maintain stability, until ready to ship
Shipping Instructions
  1. Freeze ice packs 24 hours prior to use
  2. Place ice packs inside the Styrofoam insulated kit
  3. Place processed tubes inside biohazard bag, place inside kit
  4. Seal box, print airbill and adhere to box and wait for courier to pick up
Rejection Criteria
QNS; temperature out of range upon receipt; grossly lipemic or hemolyzed; wrong specimen type; sample stability exceeded for this analyte; unlabeled or mislabeled specimen.
References

1. Shah RV, Januzzi JL (March 2010). “ST2: a novel remodeling biomarker in acute and chronic heart failure”.
2. Rehman SU, Mueller T, Januzzi JL (October 2008). “Characteristics of the novel interleukin family biomarker ST2 in patients with acute heart failure”. J. Am. Coll. Cardiol.

The information provided here is intended for educational purposes only and should not be used or substituted as medical advice. You should consult a healthcare practitioner regarding medical diagnosis or treatment.