Inflammatory Markers in Coronary Artery Disease
Markers of systemic inflammation can predict future cardiovascular events in healthy persons and patients with coronary artery disease. Measurement of certain inflammatory markers can help identify high-risk patients, monitor disease activity, and provide a therapeutic guide for reducing the inflammatory component of the disease. Fibrinogen and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) are the inflammatory markers most extensively studied for their relation to cardiovascular risk. Rosenson and Koenig reviewed the effectiveness of fibrinogen and high-sensitivity CRP measurement in evaluating and managing cardiovascular disease risk. Coronary artery inflammation is involved in all stages of atherosclerotic plaque formation. Plaque rupture and erosions precipitate thrombosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI), unstable angina, stenosis, total vessel occlusion, and sudden death. The thin, fibrous cap overlying the lipid-rich core of unstable plaques contains inflammatory cel...