New Markers of Inflammation and Endothelial Cell Activation

2] Vascular homeostasis is maintained by a balance between endothelium-derived relaxing and contracting factors. With disruption of this balance, mediated by inflammatory and traditional cardiovascular risk factors, the vasculature becomes susceptible to atheroma formation. Inflammatory mediators appear to play a fundamental role in the initiation, progression, and eventual rupture of atherosclerotic plaques. As evidence accumulates linking inflammatory processes to atherogenesis, markers of inflammation and endothelial activation may become useful by providing additional information about a patient's risk of developing cardiovascular disease, as well as providing new targets for treatment. This review article is the first part of a twoarticle series examining emerging markers of inflammation and cardiovascular disease. Part 1 will provide a brief overview of the link between inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and atherosclerosis and will begin highlighting emerging inflammatory mediators of endothelial cell (EC) activation, a discussion that will be continued in Part 2.