Inflammation in Cardiovascular Disease: A Comprehensive Review of Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets

Cardiovascular disorders (CVDs) represent a global challenge and are regarded as one of the leading causes of mortality. The role of inflammation as a risk factor in these disorders has been studied, with the accelerated atherosclerotic process being a crucial factor in the pathogenesis. Several inflammatory biomarkers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), Interleukins (ILs), Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), and others have been identified that play a role in the atherosclerotic process, thus linking systemic inflammatory conditions with CVDs, including acute myocardial infarction (AMI), chronic heart failure (CHF), venous thromboembolism (VTE) and others. These markers could be used to predict the risk of CVDs. Understanding the precise mechanisms can lead to therapeutic strategies targeted at pro-inflammatory processes. We aim to provide an overview of the existing literature on the role of inflammation in various cardiovascular disorders and identify different inflammatory biomarkers and therapeutic targets in this comprehensive literature review. We reviewed 190 references published between 2013 and August 3, 2023, in well-reputed journals and analyzed eight selected papers in-depth. We describe the pathophysiologic pathways that lead to atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular pathologies. Several inflammatory cytokines encompassing various groups were identified to be causing endothelial dysfunction, leading to an increased risk for CVDs. Polymorphisms in the genes for different cytokines also led to different levels of susceptibility to CVDs. Nevertheless, future research detailing the inflammatory pathways and their link with CVDs would lead to better outcomes for patients with preexisting and new onset of CVDs as well as chronic inflammatory disorders.