Markers of inflammation as predictors in cardiovascular disease

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. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.