Inflammatory and long-term risk markers.

摘要

Evidence indicates that the process of atherosclerosis has an inflammatory component. Markers of inflammation have been explored as a means for assessing (predicting) risk for the disease. Studies that evaluated the usefulness of fibrinogen, highly sensitive C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, myeloperoxidase, and soluble CD40 ligand for risk prediction are reviewed. Criteria for identifying a clinically useful test are discussed, along with the use of relative risk as a means for making clinically useful comparisons. It is concluded that clinically useful markers for routine screening and risk stratification have not been established, that prospective studies will be necessary to confirm the usefulness of current markers, and that on the basis of current knowledge, it will be a challenge to show that any of those inflammatory markers discussed herein will meet the needed criteria. Continued research into basic mechanisms by which inflammation acts in atherosclerosis may be necessary to identify useful markers for prediction.