Ong KL, et al. - In Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis participants without known cardiovascular disease (CVD) at baseline, researchers examined the link between plasma fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) levels and measures of subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events. At the baseline exam (2000–2002), plasma FGF21 levels were measured in 5788 participants. Carotid intima-media thickness, ankle-brachial index and coronary artery calcification were recorded at baseline. Over a median period of 14 years, participants were observed. Findings revealed no link between higher baseline FGF21 levels and the risk for incident CVD endpoints, after adjusting for multiple confounding factors. In this study, a role of FGF21 as a CVD biomarker was not supported in those without a history of CVD, despite the fact that FGF21 has been suggested as a CVD biomarker for people with high CVD risk.