Residual cardiovascular risk in coronary artery disease: from pathophysiology to established and novel therapies

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 25, 2026

Coronary Progenitor Cells and Soluble Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Prognosis after Coronary Angioplasty
10:03

Coronary Progenitor Cells and Soluble Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Prognosis after Coronary Angioplasty

Published on: January 28, 2020

5.8K

Mattia Galli1,2, Antonio Abbate3, Marc P Bonaca4,5

  • 1Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Latina, Italy.

Nature Reviews. Cardiology
|January 23, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Residual cardiovascular risk persists despite optimal treatment for coronary artery disease. This review explores underlying mechanisms and biomarkers to reduce recurrent cardiovascular events.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Vascular Biology
  • Preventive Medicine

Background:

  • Atherosclerosis and its consequences are leading global causes of death.
  • Residual cardiovascular risk persists in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) despite optimal secondary prevention.
  • Current therapies partially address pathophysiological pathways of atherosclerotic disease progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current evidence on mechanisms and biomarkers of recurrent cardiovascular events in CAD patients.
  • To explore strategies for reducing residual cardiovascular risk.
  • To provide insights into novel therapeutic targets for atherosclerosis.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review of recent studies on residual cardiovascular risk in CAD.
  • Analysis of pathophysiological mechanisms contributing to recurrent events.
  • Evaluation of biomarkers associated with atherosclerotic disease progression and destabilization.

Main Results:

  • Standard secondary prevention strategies incompletely mitigate residual cardiovascular risk.
  • Multiple pathways beyond thrombosis, blood pressure, and LDL-cholesterol contribute to residual risk.
  • Emerging biomarkers indicate novel mechanisms involved in atherosclerosis.

Conclusions:

  • Residual cardiovascular risk in CAD is multifactorial, involving pathways not fully targeted by current therapies.
  • Understanding these mechanisms and biomarkers is crucial for developing new strategies.
  • Future research should focus on novel therapeutic approaches to further reduce cardiovascular events in high-risk patients.

More Related Videos

Signal Acquisition, Score Interpretation, and Economics of a Non-Invasive Point-of-Care Test for Coronary Artery Disease06:16

Signal Acquisition, Score Interpretation, and Economics of a Non-Invasive Point-of-Care Test for Coronary Artery Disease

Published on: August 9, 2024

820
Fundus Photography as a Convenient Tool to Study Microvascular Responses to Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Epidemiological Studies10:11

Fundus Photography as a Convenient Tool to Study Microvascular Responses to Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Epidemiological Studies

Published on: October 22, 2014

19.6K

Related Concept Videos

Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology01:26

Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) originates from a series of events that impair the function of coronary arteries, the blood vessels responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. The pathophysiology of CAD is closely linked to atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory and lipid-driven condition affecting the vascular endothelium.1. Endothelial DamageThe process begins with damage to the vascular endothelium, which serves as a protective barrier between the blood and the vessel...
400
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
934
Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care01:27

Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care

Interprofessional care for coronary artery disease includes pharmacological therapy and revascularization procedures.Pharmacological therapy for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) aims to manage symptoms, prevent complications, and improve patient outcomes through various classes of medications:Antiplatelet Agents:Aspirin and Clopidogrel: These medications inhibit platelet aggregation, preventing blood clots, which is crucial for avoiding heart attacks and strokes. Doctors often prescribe these...
230
Coronary Artery Disease III: Clinical Manifestations01:30

Coronary Artery Disease III: Clinical Manifestations

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a primary health risk worldwide, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. The condition arises from the buildup of atherosclerotic plaques within the coronary arteries, resulting in diminished blood supply to the heart muscle.The clinical manifestations of CAD vary widely, from asymptomatic stages to severe, life-threatening conditions. Understanding these manifestations is crucial for early diagnosis and effective management.Angina Pectoris: The Warning...
351
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures01:26

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...
615
Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations01:19

Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations

The pathophysiology of Acute Coronary Syndrome [ACD] involves several key processes:The main underlying cause of ACD is atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the buildup of lipid-laden plaques within the coronary arteries.As the atherosclerotic plaque grows in the coronary artery, it may become unstable due to the formation of a lipid-rich core and a thin fibrous cap. Inflammatory cells within the plaque, such as macrophages, secrete enzymes that degrade the...
380