Cardiac Biomarkers: Biochemical Markers for Cardiovascular Disease Diagnosis and Prognosis

Background & Aim: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with myocardial infarction and heart failure constituting major contributors to disease burden. Early diagnosis and accurate prognostication are essential for improving clinical outcomes. The present study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic utility of selected cardiac biochemical markers in patients with cardiovascular diseases and to analyze their effectiveness in predicting cardiovascular health outcomes using regression and comparative analytical models. Methods: This hospital-based prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry in collaboration with the Department of Medicine/Cardiology at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Bhagalpur, Bihar, over a period from 1st October 2024 to 30th September 2025. A total of 70 clinically diagnosed cardiovascular disease patients were enrolled based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Blood samples were collected for estimation of cardiac biomarkers including cardiac troponins, natriuretic peptides, inflammatory markers, lipid profile parameters, and other relevant biochemical indices using standardized laboratory methods. Results: The study population predominantly comprised middle-aged and elderly patients, with a higher representation of males. Significant variability was observed in biomarker concentrations across different cardiovascular conditions. Cardiac troponins and natriuretic peptides demonstrated higher diagnostic effectiveness scores compared to other biochemical markers. Forest plot analysis revealed moderate pooled effect sizes for selected biomarkers, indicating their clinical relevance in cardiovascular disease assessment. Regression analysis exploring the relationship between two key biochemical markers and cardiovascular health outcomes showed a limited but notable association, suggesting that biomarker-based prediction is influenced by multifactorial determinants rather than isolated parameters. Conclusion: The findings of this study underscore the critical role of cardiac biomarkers in the diagnosis and prognostic assessment of cardiovascular diseases. While traditional markers such as troponins and natriuretic peptides remain highly valuable, their predictive capability is enhanced when interpreted alongside other biochemical and clinical variables.