The biochemical aspects of a non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome.

The clinical course of an acute coronary syndrome can vary from relatively benign to potentially fatal. The biomarkers of myocardial necrosis relate to the amount of myocardial damage and are closely linked to a patient's prognosis. They are measured to help guide management decisions. Recent interest in myocardial neurohumoral mechanisms has identified the natriuretic peptides as strong prognostic biomarkers following an ischemic event. During an acute event they provide information regarding the area of myocardium at risk. The biomarkers of inflammation, such as C-reactive protein, are related to both the development of atherosclerosis and the risk of acute ischemic events. The mechanism characterizing the pathophysiology of the syndrome is represented by these cardiac biomarkers. Assessing combinations of pathobiologically diverse biomarkers may provide a better risk evaluation method and further dictate subsequent therapy.