A laboratory and in-ward evaluation of cholesterol assays on the Ames Seralyzer

Recently there has been renewed interest in the detection and treatment of hypercholesterolaemia; these being of particular importance in young and middle-aged patients with myocardial infarction [1]. It has lately been shown that, contrary to existing dogma, measurement of serum or plasma cholesterol levels within the first 24 h after infarction is a reliable way to assess prognosis or advise treatment [2]. Moreover, if results ofcholesterol analyses were available without undue delay while the patient was still hospitalized in the short-stay coronary care unit, the treatment would be initiated by the specialist cardiologist and the required screening of first-degree relatives visiting the patient might be easier to motivate.