Biomarkers for cardiovascular diseases: their clinical significances and future directions

Biomarkers are used for evaluation of the pathophysiological state, risk stratification, diagnostic tools, staging of a disease and responsiveness to treatment. Representative biomarkers used in cardiovascular diseases may include C-reactive protein (CRP) for inflammation, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), aldosterone, renin for neurohumoral factors, plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) for fibrinolysis and endothelial function, d-dimer for thrombosis, urine albumin/creatinine ratio for renal glomerular endothelial function. Further addition of new biomarkers may increase the capacity to find high-risk patients with cardiovascular diseases. In this review we would like to introduce several representative biomarkers in the context of nuclear cardiology. With the advancement of new imaging modalities new biomarkers are readily available. Combined use of new nuclear cardiology modalities with biomarkers one would establish prevention guidelines and classify high-risk subgroups needing treatment intervention