New Diagnostic Tests for Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the main causes of death worldwide, and its prevalence continues to increase compared to previous decades due to the aging of the world population. Hospital cases of CVD, which are a critical health concern in low- and middle-income countries, are increasing every year. Primary prevention of CVD depends primarily on the ability to identify at-risk individuals before overt events development. This highlights the need for accurate risk stratification. Risk assessment is important to identify at-risk individuals who require immediate attention, as well as to guide the intensity of medical treatment to reduce subsequent CVD risk. There is a growing body of clinical research aimed at identifying these individuals by searching for biomolecules. Advances related to CVD in the past 30 years, as well as scientific advances in biomarker research, have led to more sensitive screening methods, greater emphasis on diagnosis, early detection of these diseases, improved treatments, and more favorable clinical outcomes in society.

A large number of new biomarkers have been identified for predicting cardiovascular events, and these markers play an important role in defining, predicting and deciding on the management of cardiovascular events. This review of the clinical applications of classical and new biomarkers such as cardiac troponin (cTn), high-sensitivity troponin (cTn-hs), galectin-3 (Gal3), Source of Tumorigenicity2 (ST2), type B and C natriuretic peptide (BNP and CNP), growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), myeloperoxidase (MPO), heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2 ), microRNAs (miRNAs) and others have been discussed.