title: Coronary artery disease: new insights into the pathophysiology, prevalence, and early detection of a monster menace.
abstract: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and other industrialized countries. In the undeveloped world a similar epidemic is brewing. A new pathophysiologic paradigm has emerged, which assigns the mediators of inflammation a much larger role in the disease process. This paradigm has helped explain the unpredictable nature of many adverse consequences of CAD. The long latent phase of the disease, and often sudden initial presentation, make efforts at early detection extremely important. Considerable work has been devoted to identify, as well as influence, predisposing risk factors for developing arteriosclerosis. Novel markers of inflammation, like C-reactive protein, have been identified and compared to traditional risk factors. In addition, new imaging modalities introduce the possibility of screening for subclinical disease. Electron beam and multidetector computed tomography (CT) scanners, as well as other techniques, are emerging as powerful tools to detect early disease presence and allow intervention to take place before major clinical events occur. Advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of CAD, and our ability to image the stages of silent disease will go hand in hand to revolutionize our approach to prevention and treatment of this deadly malady.
authors.affiliation: New York University Medical Center, 425 West 59th Street, New York, NY 10019, USA. jslater@slrhc.org
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Slater
authors.forename: Velisar
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rill
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein