Dear Colleagues,

Biomarkers as diagnostic tools for more accurate assessment of cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction, heart failure, valvular heart disease, and inflammatory conditions have proven to be of clinical relevance in the last couple of years. Biomarkers such as troponins (for myocardial damage and ischemia) and NT-proBNP (myocardial stress, heart failure) have shown great potential. However, they just cover certain aspects of the pathophysiological processes. Further research on additional biomarkers is of key importance for a better understanding of multiple cellular pathways that are involved in these disease conditions. For example, when heart disease is accompanied by other pathophysiological entities such as arrhythmia, renal failure, diabetes, pulmonary hypertension, or COPD, risk assessment could become a clinical conundrum. Research on new biomarkers could be helpful to identify patients at risk, plan more personalized treatments and improve prevention strategies.

Prof. Michael Lichtenauer 

Guest Editor