Cardiovascular biomarkers: The state of the art in 2006

Background: The explosion in cardiovascular biomarkers has been stimulated in large part by proteomics, genomics and an improved understanding of the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease. New advances are occurring rapidly and remaining on the cutting edge of the science is harder and harder. In the past few years, major changes have evolved in our ability to use cardiac troponin, BNP and CRP which will markedly impact on their clinical utility. These changes including greater sensitivity, a better understanding of what specific fragments are being measured and how these markers are used clinically is obligatory. There is also a need for new markers. Conclusions: As with other disciplines, this work has built on the work of others.