Other novel inflammatory markers have recently been shown to be associated with cardiovascular events. Adhesion of circulating leukocytes to endothelial cells is an important step in the process of inflammation and is in part mediated by cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) expressed on endothelial cells and leukocytes. Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) is expressed on endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and leukocytes and has been noted to be increased in atherosclerotic lesions. Levels of soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) can be measured in plasma or serum. An association was observed between increased levels of ICAM-1 and subsequent risk of first myocardial infarction in a nested case–control study from the Physicians' Health Study. The association was present in the study overall as well as among nonsmokers and persisted after control for lipid and nonlipid risk factors. As shown, the risk of myocardial infarction associated with raised concentrations of sICAM-1 increased with the length of follow-up. The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study has also shown an association between increased levels of sICAM-1 and CHD events in a prospective case–control study and an association between levels of sICAM-1 and increased intima–media thickness as assessed by carotid ultrasound.

References:
Ridker PM, Hennekens CH, Roitman-Johnson B, Stampfer MJ, Allen J. Plasma concentration of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and risks of future myocardial infarction in apparently healthy men. Lancet 1998;351:88-92.
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Hwang S-J, Ballantyne CM, Sharrett AR, Smith LC, Davis CE, Gotto AM Jr, Boerwinkle E. Circulating adhesion molecules VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and E-selectin in carotid atherosclerosis and incident coronary heart disease cases: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. Circulation 1997;96:4219-4225.
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