Inflammatory Biomarkers in Ischemic Heart Disease

The importance of inflammation in the pathogenesis of IHD, such as, acute myocardial infarct (AMI) and coronary artery disease (CAD), has long been established. A large body of evidence suggests that inflammation plays a key role in CVD, however, the mechanisms in the various stages of the pathological process is not completely understood (Carden and Granger, 2000). Inflammation is a complex of defensive mechanisms reacting to the entry of harmful agents into the organism or cells, in order to eliminate or repair damaged cells or tissue and to restore homeostasis. This broad definition indicates that inflammation does not only accompany infectious diseases, but also other conditions causing cell, tissue or organ damage.