Residual inflammatory risk after percutaneous coronary intervention: current insights and future perspectives

Despite advances in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and contemporary secondary prevention, recurrent cardiovascular events remain a major clinical challenge. Increasing evidence suggests that persistent vascular inflammation contributes to residual cardiovascular risk after PCI, even in patients receiving optimal lipid-lowering therapy. Recent studies have highlighted the clinical relevance of inflammatory biomarkers, plaque vulnerability, and intracoronary imaging findings in predicting adverse cardiovascular outcomes. In addition, anti-inflammatory therapeutic strategies have emerged as promising approaches for residual risk reduction. This review summarizes current insights into the mechanisms, assessment, and potential therapeutic implications of residual inflammatory risk after PCI.