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15 - Biomarkers in vascular disease

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2012

Robert Fitridge
Affiliation:
University of Adelaide
Matthew Thompson
Affiliation:
St George's Hospital Medical School, London, UK
Ian Nordon
Affiliation:
St George's Vascular Institute, St James' Wing, St George's Hospital, Blackshaw Road, London, UK
Robert Hinchliffe
Affiliation:
St George's Vascular Institute, St James' Wing, St George's Hospital, Blackshaw Road, London, UK
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Summary

INTRODUCTION

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the developed world. These diseases encompass the consequences of localized atherosclerosis and aneurysmal arterial degeneration. Evolution of risk factors contributes to the onset of subclinical disease; subclinical disease progresses to overt and often catastrophic clinical sequelae. Primary and secondary prevention strategies for CVD are public health priorities.

Whilst clinical assessment and crosssectional imaging remain the cornerstones of patient management, they have limitations. There is increasing interest in the use of novel markers of cardiovascular disease as screening and risk-assessment tools to enhance the ability to identify the ‘vulnerable’ patients. Biomarkers are one tool to aid clinical assessment and identify high risk individuals, to ensure prompt and accurate disease diagnosis and to aid prognostic scoring of individuals with disease.

WHAT IS A BIOMARKER?

Initially described as a ‘measurable and quantifiable biological parameter that could serve as an index for health assessment’, the definition of a biomarker has since been standardized.

A characteristic that is objectively measured as an indicator of normal biological pro cesses, pathogenic processes, or pharmacological responses to a therapeutic intervention

Biomarkers are indicators of disease trait (risk factor or risk marker), disease state (preclinical or clinical), or disease rate (progression). They may also serve as surrogate end points used as an outcome measure to assess efficacy of therapy. A biomarker may be a recording taken from an individual (e.g. blood pressure), it may be an imaging test (CT / PET scan), or it may be a biosample (blood, serum, urine).

Type
Chapter
Information
Mechanisms of Vascular Disease
A Reference Book for Vascular Specialists
, pp. 277 - 294
Publisher: The University of Adelaide Press
Print publication year: 2011

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  • Biomarkers in vascular disease
    • By Ian Nordon, St George's Vascular Institute, St James' Wing, St George's Hospital, Blackshaw Road, London, UK, Robert Hinchliffe, St George's Vascular Institute, St James' Wing, St George's Hospital, Blackshaw Road, London, UK
  • Robert Fitridge, University of Adelaide, Matthew Thompson, St George's Hospital Medical School, London, UK
  • Book: Mechanisms of Vascular Disease
  • Online publication: 05 June 2012
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/UPO9781922064004.016
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  • Biomarkers in vascular disease
    • By Ian Nordon, St George's Vascular Institute, St James' Wing, St George's Hospital, Blackshaw Road, London, UK, Robert Hinchliffe, St George's Vascular Institute, St James' Wing, St George's Hospital, Blackshaw Road, London, UK
  • Robert Fitridge, University of Adelaide, Matthew Thompson, St George's Hospital Medical School, London, UK
  • Book: Mechanisms of Vascular Disease
  • Online publication: 05 June 2012
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/UPO9781922064004.016
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Biomarkers in vascular disease
    • By Ian Nordon, St George's Vascular Institute, St James' Wing, St George's Hospital, Blackshaw Road, London, UK, Robert Hinchliffe, St George's Vascular Institute, St James' Wing, St George's Hospital, Blackshaw Road, London, UK
  • Robert Fitridge, University of Adelaide, Matthew Thompson, St George's Hospital Medical School, London, UK
  • Book: Mechanisms of Vascular Disease
  • Online publication: 05 June 2012
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/UPO9781922064004.016
Available formats
×