Key issues in the developing synergism between cardiovascular imaging and biomarkers.

BACKGROUND Sophisticated methods of cardiac imaging have the potential to revolutionize the care of patients with cardiovascular disease. The benefits of these state-of-the art imaging techniques can be enhanced by their use in combination with new cardiac biomarkers. This review addresses potentially useful interactions between imaging and biomarkers. CONTENT Areas were defined in which the combined use of novel imaging techniques and biomarkers would be most beneficial. This review addresses multiple cardiovascular conditions for which the useful aspects of imaging and biomarkers are likely to be positively synergistic, including acute and chronic ischemic heart disease, heart failure, myocarditis, hypertension, and atherosclerosis. CONCLUSIONS The synergistic use of imaging techniques and biomarkers will enhance the investigation of many key issues and questions and will be an important resource in the future.