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Coronary Progenitor Cells and Soluble Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Prognosis after Coronary Angioplasty
10:03

Coronary Progenitor Cells and Soluble Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Prognosis after Coronary Angioplasty

Published on: January 28, 2020

C-reactive protein and coronary events following percutaneous coronary angioplasty

Robbert J de Winter1, Karel T Koch, Jan P van Straalen

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. r.j.dewinter@amc.uva.nl

The American Journal of Medicine
|August 2, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Elevated C-reactive protein levels in patients undergoing coronary angioplasty predict a higher risk of death or heart attack. However, high C-reactive protein does not appear to increase the need for repeat revascularization.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Biomarkers
  • Interventional Cardiology

Background:

  • C-reactive protein (CRP) is an inflammatory marker.
  • Percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PCA) is a common procedure for coronary artery disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between baseline C-reactive protein levels and adverse cardiovascular outcomes after percutaneous coronary angioplasty.
  • To determine if C-reactive protein predicts death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or repeat revascularization.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective cohort study of 1458 patients undergoing coronary angioplasty.
  • Plasma C-reactive protein levels were measured at baseline.
  • Patients were followed for 12-14 months for clinical events.

Main Results:

  • Increased C-reactive protein (>3 mg/L) was associated with a significantly higher incidence of death or myocardial infarction (6.1% vs. 1.5%).
  • Elevated C-reactive protein was an independent predictor of death or nonfatal myocardial infarction (RR=3.6).
  • The incidence of repeat revascularization was similar in patients with normal or elevated C-reactive protein levels.

Conclusions:

  • An elevated C-reactive protein level is a significant independent prognostic indicator for death or nonfatal myocardial infarction post-coronary angioplasty.
  • C-reactive protein levels do not predict the need for repeat revascularization.
Abstract

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