Dear Colleagues,

 

The identification, evolution and clinical use of biomarkers in cardiovascular medicine, particularly in heart failure, have advanced dramatically over the past few decades. Progress in biomarker research related to cardiovascular disease has led to more sensitive screening methods, a greater emphasis on early detection and the establishment of clinical diagnoses, provided prognostic information and improved the ability to monitor the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. Importantly, this has resulted in more favorable patient outcomes. However, the development of novel biomarkers to investigate physiologic and pathophysiologic processes in cardiovascular disease remains an important area of ongoing clinical research. Further, the reimaged use of established biomarkers is being explored with many new developments yet to come. While this area is vast in the scope of biomarkers that are currently being used or studied in the arena of cardiovascular medicine, this special issue in “Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine” will focus on the prognostic and therapy-related monitoring roles of various key biomarkers and their incremental benefit and utility for clinical practice.  We hope this discussion will provide our readers with new insights and affirm information on biomarkers and their use in cardiovascular medicine.

Prof. Wayne L. Miller

Guest Editor