Inflammation in Cardiovascular Disease: Current Status and Future Perspectives

Abstract

Atherosclerosis has been defined as an inflammatory disease. Three decades of research have pointed to a pivotal role of interleukin 6 for many aspects of cardiovascular disease, not the least of which is atherosclerosis. In this review, experimental and clinical studies are reported on a timeline, exploring mechanisms and possible explanations that form the basis of current knowledge. Some successful clinical trials were proof of concept studies, showing that not only inflammatory biomarkers are related to cardiovascular outcomes, but also that decreasing inflammation can reduce cardiovascular events. Great advances have been made in the management of residual cardiovascular risk due to cholesterol, thrombosis, and metabolic diseases, but the next frontier now seems to be targeting inflammation. In the upcoming years, the importance of inflammation will be evaluated in high-risk patients with chronic kidney disease, after acute coronary heart disease or heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Inflammation seems to precede the development of cardiovascular risk factors. Moreover, counseling for a heathy lifestyle and, when necessary, the use of cardiometabolic therapies capable of decreasing inflammation, might be important.