CPT® Code 83006

The CPT® Code 83006 refers to a laboratory test that measures the growth stimulation expressed gene 2, commonly known as ST2, which is a member of the interleukin 1 receptor family. This biomarker exists in two distinct forms: soluble ST2 (sST2) and transmembrane-bound ST2-ligand (ST2L). The presence and levels of ST2 in the body can provide critical insights into a patient's cardiac health. Specifically, when utilized alongside clinical evidence, the measurement of ST2 can assist healthcare professionals in predicting adverse outcomes and mortality in patients who have experienced documented cardiac injury or stress. Furthermore, ST2 serves as a prognostic marker for potential future cardiac diseases within the general population. In response to cardiac injury or stress, healthy cardiac tissue produces sST2, which subsequently binds to interleukin-33 (IL-33). This binding action diminishes the protective effects of the ST2L receptor, which is crucial for safeguarding against myocardial fibrosis and heart failure. The testing of serum or plasma samples for ST2 levels is conducted using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, a widely recognized laboratory technique that allows for the accurate quantification of this biomarker.