Affiliations: 2nd Cardiology Department, University of Athens,
Attikon Hospital, Athens, Greece
Note: [] Corresponding author: Dr. Ignatios Ikonomidis, MD, FESC, 2nd
Cardiology Department, University of Athens, Attikon Hospital, Perikleous 19,
N. Chalkidona, Athens 14343, Greece. Tel.: +30 694 4805732; Fax: +30 210
5832351; E-mail: ignoik@otenet.gr
Abstract: Various biomarkers express different pathways and pathophysiologic
mechanisms of cardiovascular disease, such as inflammation, oxidative stress,
myocardial injury, activation of the neurohormonal pathways, myocardial stress
and renal function. Current thinking supports the notion that the combination
of these biomarkers could increase their diagnostic and prognostic value. The
multimarker approach offers benefits since it increases the diagnostic and
prognostic information and may help in the design of a strategy for prevention
or management of cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of the current review is
to describe the characteristics of promising biomarkers which have shown an
important additive value in the assessment of cardiovascular risk. Also, an
extended reference is made regarding studies that address the prognostic value
of multimarker models in the settings of primary prevention of cardiovascular
disease and secondary prevention for patients with acute coronary syndromes,
chronic coronary artery disease and heart failure.
