J Cardiovasc Interv.  2024 Oct;3(4):199-215. 10.54912/jci.2024.0014.

Inflammation in Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Diseases: Biomarkers to Therapeutics in Clinical Settings

• Kim S
• Jang Y

• KMID: 2561219
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.54912/jci.2024.0014

Abstract

Lipid-lowering therapy is undoubtedly the most essential part of treating atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (CVD). However, even with aggressive lipid-lowering therapy, CVD remains the leading cause of death worldwide. Inflammation has been long suspected to adversely affect our cardiovascular health. From epidemiological to experimental and clinical studies, it is clear that inflammation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and CVD. Recent research highlights the multifaceted role of inflammation in CVD, demonstrating that inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein and interleukin (IL)-6 are strongly associated with adverse cardiovascular (CV) outcomes. Moreover, novel anti-inflammatory therapies, such as colchicine and IL-1β inhibitors like canakinumab, have shown promise in reducing CV events in high-risk patients. The integration of inflammatory biomarkers into clinical practice allows for better risk stratification and personalized treatment approaches. Additionally, ongoing studies continue to explore the efficacy of targeting inflammation to improve CV outcomes, indicating a paradigm shift in how we approach the prevention and management of CVD. This review underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing inflammation alongside traditional lipid-lowering strategies to combat the global burden of CVD effectively.

Keyword

Atherosclerosis; Cardiovascular disease; Inflammation; Inflammasomes; Interleukin-1beta; Interleukin-6; NLR family, pyrin domain-containing 3 protein