ABSTRACT
The real-time monitoring of vulnerable plaque progression and detection of vulnerable plaque destabilization prior to an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) event (myocardial infarction, unstable angina, coronary death) are major goals for cardiovascular research. Endothelial biomarkers of endothelial dysfunctions, along with other biomarkers of key interacting players in ACS, could allow real-time monitoring of vulnerable plaque progression and/or destabilization. While current analytical designs detect significant predictive values supporting the concept of biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction, the potential for real-time monitoring has not been realized. This shortfall is not surprising given the complex pathogenic interactions in ACS, thus elucidating the necessity for a systematic, mechanism-based context analysis of biomarkers.
