Ricardo Wang et al. Bruno Ramos Nascimento Fernando Carvalho Neuenschwander
Short Editorial related to the article: Role of Interleukin-18 and the Thrombus Precursor Protein in Coronary Artery Disease.
Ever since the initial works by Russell Ross on the importance of inflammation in the development, instability and rupture of the atherosclerotic plaque, which can result in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or stroke, there has been an increase in publications on the activation pathways, expansion and perpetuation of the inflammatory process, which goes beyond the simple pathophysiological understanding, but mainly in finding specific treatment opportunities, aiming to reduce the so-called “residual risk” (cardiovascular events that occur in patients even when LDL cholesterol levels are within the therapeutic goals). It is estimated that approximately 100,000 new cases of acute myocardial infarction occur each year in Brazil, according to data from DATASUS. If we consider mortality rates of 5-10%, it is expected that approximately 90,000 patients per year will go to secondary prevention. If all patients receive a maximum statin dose, even so, approximately 40%2 will still have a residual risk of events, i.e., 36,000 patients will be at high risk for new cardiovascular events.
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