The prognostic value of pre-procedural plasma C-reactive protein in patients undergoing elective coronary angioplasty

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Inflammation Markers
• Clinical Prognostics

Background:

• C-reactive protein (CRP) is a key prognostic indicator in coronary artery disease.
• Pre-procedural CRP levels may inform treatment strategies for patients undergoing elective coronary angioplasty.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prognostic value of pre-procedural C-reactive protein levels in patients undergoing elective coronary angioplasty.
• To determine the association between elevated CRP and subsequent cardiac events.

Main Methods:

• Measured pre-procedural plasma C-reactive protein in 501 patients with stable coronary artery disease undergoing elective coronary angioplasty.
• Followed patients for 2 years to assess outcomes including death, myocardial infarction, and urgent revascularization.
• Utilized survival analysis and logistic regression to identify predictors of event-free survival.

Main Results:

• Increased pre-procedural CRP (>3 mg/L) was observed in 45% of patients.
• Patients with elevated CRP had a significantly higher incidence of death or myocardial infarction (10.6% vs 2.9%) within 2 years (RR 3.9).
• Elevated CRP was an independent predictor of adverse cardiac events (RR 2.54).

Conclusions:

• Pre-procedural C-reactive protein is a powerful independent prognostic indicator for cardiac events after elective coronary angioplasty.
• Elevated CRP suggests that pre-procedural systemic inflammation significantly impacts long-term clinical outcomes.
• These findings highlight the importance of assessing inflammation status before angioplasty.