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Markers of Atherosclerosis: Part 1 - Serological Markers
Miha Tibaut1, Martin Caprnda2, Peter Kubatka3
1General Hospital Murska Sobota, Murska Sobota, Slovenia.
Insights
Novel serum biomarkers, including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), show promise for re-stratifying cardiovascular event risk, especially in intermediate-risk individuals. Combining biomarkers may offer superior risk prediction compared to single markers alone.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Biochemistry
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality.
- Current cardiovascular (CV) risk scores aid in stratifying patients, but management for intermediate-risk individuals remains uncertain.
- Novel biomarkers are needed to improve risk stratification for intermediate-risk populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on serum biomarkers for atherosclerosis risk prediction.
- To evaluate the potential of novel biomarkers, such as hsCRP, in refining CV risk assessment.
- To explore the utility of combined serum biomarkers for enhanced risk stratification.
Main Methods:
- This is a narrative review, presented in two parts.
- Part 1 focuses on summarizing existing research on serum (serological) biomarkers of atherosclerosis.
- Literature search and synthesis of data on biomarker performance in CV risk prediction.
Main Results:
- High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is identified as a promising biomarker for chronic conditions.
- Other novel biomarkers require further clinical validation.
- A combination of serum biomarkers appears more effective for risk stratification than individual markers.
Conclusions:
- Serum biomarkers, particularly hsCRP, hold potential for improving cardiovascular risk assessment.
- Combining multiple serum biomarkers may provide a more accurate stratification of CV event risk.
- Further research is warranted to validate novel biomarkers and optimize their use in clinical practice.
Abstract:
Atherosclerosis is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality worldwide. With therapeutic consequences in mind, several risk scores are being used to differentiate individuals with low, intermediate or high cardiovascular (CV) event risk. The most appropriate management of intermediate risk individuals is still not known, therefore, novel biomarkers are being sought to help re-stratify them as low or high risk. This narrative review is presented in two parts. Here, in Part 1, we summarise current knowledge on serum (serological) biomarkers of atherosclerosis. Among novel biomarkers, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) has emerged as the most promising in chronic situations, others need further clinical studies. However, it seems that a combination of serum biomarkers offers more to risk stratification than either biomarker alone. In Part 2, we address genetic and imaging markers of atherosclerosis, as well as other developments relevant to risk prediction.
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