Inflammatory biomarkers in acute coronary syndromes: part III: biomarkers of oxidative stress and angiogenic growth factors.

The inflammatory etiology of atherosclerosis has prompted a search for biomarkers of inflammation that predict risk for coronary artery disease and its sequelae. Within the acute coronary syndromes (ACS), inflammatory biomarkers may provide independent information regarding pathophysiology, prognosis, and optimal therapeutic strategies. Based on the hypothesis that different pathophysiological processes provide nonoverlapping information regarding risk stratification and disease management, this review series addresses biomarkers for each step in the inflammatory process leading to ACS. Parts I and II reviewed cytokines, acute-phase reactants, and biomarkers of endothelial cell activation; this part reviews biomarkers of oxidative stress and angiogenesis; part IV addresses biomarkers of extracellular matrix degradation and platelet activation.