Evaluating CMR

Key Points

• NCEP-ATP III guidelines have emphasized that the metabolic syndrome is a secondary target of therapy beyond elevated LDL cholesterol.

• NCEP-ATP III guidelines have also singled out excess abdominal adipose tissue as a key feature of the metabolic syndrome.

• Other elements of the metabolic syndrome include atherogenic dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, a pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic profile, and high blood pressure.

• To date, numerous prospective studies have shown that the metabolic syndrome predicts CVD risk, with very few exceptions.

• Overall CVD risk related to the metabolic syndrome has been evaluated in meta-analyses, which have concluded that the metabolic syndrome increases relative risk of CVD.

• The metabolic syndrome is a stronger predictor of type 2 diabetes than CVD risk.