The Role Of Inflammation In Atherosclerosis Progression Focus On Inflammatory Markers And Cytokines As Therapeutic Targets In Coronary Artery Disease.

Abstract

Background: Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory process that plays a central role in the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). Cytokines and inflammatory markers are key factors in the formation, progression, and rupture of plaques. Understanding these mechanisms can help identify new treatment options that can be used alongside traditional lipid-lowering and antiplatelet therapies to reduce ongoing cardiovascular risk.

Objectives:

To determine the relationship of important inflammatory markers to the severity of coronary artery disease and to determine whether cytokine-based therapies have a chance of reducing inflammation and cardiovascular outcomes.

Study design: A prospective study.

Place and duration of study: Department of Cardiology, MTI LRH, Peshawar, From 2020 to 2021

Methods:
100 patients who were diagnosed to have either stable or unstable CAD. hs-CRP, IL-6, and IL-1 people were assessed in serum. To evaluate stenosis severity, coronary angiography was employed. The statistical test encompassed mean, standard deviation, and significance evaluation through t-tests and ANOVA results in p < 0.05, characterizing significance. Severity of diseases and patient outcomes after a period of 6 months were linked with demographic characteristics and markers of inflammation.

Results:
Out of 100 patients (average age 62.4 +-9.1 years), 60 were sexed males, and 40 were females. Severe CAD patients also demonstrated much higher hs-CRP (3.9 1.2 mg/L) and IL-6 (7.8 2.4 pg/mol) than those with mild/moderate disease (hs-CRP: 2.1 0.8 mg/L, IL-6: 4.2 1.1 pg/ml; p < 0.001). In patients with multi-vessel disease, the percentage of elevated IL-1 was 70%. The greater the concentration of these cytokines, the poorer the clinical outcome. Inflammatory markers were found to be significantly related to angiographic scores, showing the fundamental role of systemic inflammation with the progression of the disease.

Conclusion:
This research confirms the major role of inflammation in atherosclerosis and the usefulness of inflammatory markers, including hs-CRP, IL-6, and IL-1, in evaluating the severity of CAD. Attacking cytokine signaling could be therapeutic in diminishing cardiovascular events. Future clinical trials are required to confirm anti-inflammatory agents as adjunctive therapy in the management of CAD that may reduce the residual cardiovascular risk.