OBJECTIVES: The goal of this systematic review is to assess the cross-sectional relationship
of inflammatory markers with the presence and extent of coronary artery calcium (CAC) to
identify asymptomatic individuals with a higher risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).
BACKGROUND: Markers of subclinical inflammation and subclinical atherosclerosis have
both been used to improve detection of individuals at high risk of developing cardiovascular
disease. CAC has emerged as a surrogate maker for underlying coronary atherosclerosis …