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Markers of inflammation as predictors in cardiovascular disease
1Department of Clinical Pathology, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. vanlenf@ccf.org
Insights
Inflammation in coronary arteries is key to atherosclerosis and acute coronary syndromes. Inflammatory markers in blood and tissue can predict cardiovascular disease risk and outcomes, complementing traditional factors.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Inflammation Research
- Biochemical Markers
Background:
- Inflammation in coronary arteries is increasingly recognized as a central mechanism in atherosclerosis development.
- Acute coronary syndromes are closely linked to ongoing inflammatory processes within the vasculature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of biochemical markers of inflammation in predicting coronary heart disease (CHD) risk.
- To assess the utility of inflammatory markers in predicting adverse cardiac outcomes in patients with established coronary syndromes.
Main Methods:
- Review of experimental and clinical studies examining plasma and tissue biochemical markers of inflammation.
- Analysis of studies investigating the predictive value of inflammatory markers independently and in conjunction with traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
Main Results:
- Substantial evidence supports ongoing inflammation in coronary heart disease.
- Inflammatory markers provide risk prediction information independent of and complementary to traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Conclusions:
- Biochemical markers of inflammation show potential for predicting coronary heart disease risk and adverse cardiac outcomes.
- Further prospective studies are needed to clarify the roles of various inflammatory markers in the prediction, diagnosis, and management of cardiovascular disease.
Abstract:
Recent research suggests that inflammation in the coronary arteries may be intimately involved in the development of atherosclerosis and its associated acute coronary syndromes. Experimental and clinical studies based on the biochemical markers of inflammation and vascular perturbation in plasma as well as in atherosclerotic tissue have provided substantial evidence of ongoing inflammation in coronary heart disease. These studies have suggested a potential role for biochemical markers of inflammation in the prediction of risk for the development of coronary heart disease as well as in the prediction of adverse cardiac-related outcomes in patients with known coronary syndromes. Markers of inflammation appear to offer risk prediction information that is independent of, and possibly complementary to, traditional risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease. There are numerous potential markers for these inflammatory processes and their interdependence remains somewhat unclear. Clinical studies have investigated some, but not all of these markers in a critical and comparative fashion. Therefore, further well-designed prospective studies should elucidate the role of markers of inflammation in the prediction, diagnosis, and management of cardiovascular disease.