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Coronary Progenitor Cells and Soluble Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Prognosis after Coronary Angioplasty
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C-reactive protein and its role in the pathogenesis of myocardial infarction

M B Pepys1, G M Hirschfield

  • 1Centre for Amyloidosis and Acute Phase Proteins, Department of Medicine, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, UK. m.pepys@rfc.ucl.ac.uk

Italian Heart Journal : Official Journal of the Italian Federation of Cardiology
|January 5, 2002
PubMed

Insights

C-reactive protein (CRP) aids in diagnosing inflammatory conditions. Elevated CRP levels, detected by high-sensitivity assays, now predict cardiovascular events and may be a therapeutic target for atherosclerosis.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Immunology
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • C-reactive protein (CRP) is a classical acute phase reactant.
  • CRP aids in diagnosing and managing infective and inflammatory conditions.
  • High-sensitivity CRP assays strengthen the view of atherosclerosis as an inflammatory disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of CRP in cardiovascular disease.
  • To explore CRP's predictive value for cardiovascular events.
  • To discuss CRP as a potential therapeutic target in atherosclerosis.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature and epidemiological surveys.
  • Analysis of data from studies using high-sensitivity CRP assays.
  • Synthesis of evidence on CRP's role in atherosclerosis pathogenesis.

Main Results:

  • Elevated CRP predicts poor outcomes in unstable coronary syndromes and myocardial infarction.
  • Baseline CRP levels predict future cardiovascular events in at-risk and healthy individuals.
  • Evidence suggests a direct role for CRP in atherosclerosis and post-myocardial infarction inflammation.

Conclusions:

  • CRP is a significant predictor of cardiovascular events.
  • CRP may play a direct role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
  • CRP presents a potential future therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases.

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