C-reactive protein elevation and disease activity in patients with coronary artery disease
Ramón Arroyo-Espliguero1, Pablo Avanzas, Juan Cosín-Sales
1Coronary Artery Disease Research Unit, Department of Cardiological Sciences, St. George's Hospital Medical School, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK.
European Heart Journal
|March 23, 2004
Summary
C-reactive protein (CRP) levels predict future cardiovascular events independently of coronary artery disease (CAD) severity. Higher CRP levels also correlate with complex coronary artery stenosis, indicating plaque vulnerability.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Biomarkers
- Inflammation
Background:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) poses a significant risk for cardiovascular events.
- Inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), are increasingly recognized for their role in cardiovascular pathology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if CRP is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events.
- To assess the correlation between CRP levels and the complexity of coronary artery stenosis.
Main Methods:
- Study included 825 angina patients (700 with chronic stable angina, 125 with acute coronary syndromes).
- One-year follow-up assessed composite endpoints including myocardial infarction, unstable angina, and cardiac death.
- High-sensitivity CRP (Hs-CRP) levels were measured and correlated with angiographic findings and clinical status.
Main Results:
- Hs-CRP was higher in patients who experienced cardiovascular events (P=0.03).
- Hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in patients with acute coronary syndromes compared to chronic stable angina (P=0.004).
- Hs-CRP correlated with the number of complex coronary artery stenoses (r=0.36, P=0.01) and NYHA functional class (p<0.0001).
Conclusions:
- CRP levels independently predict future cardiovascular events, irrespective of CAD severity.
- CRP levels correlate with the complexity of coronary artery stenosis, suggesting a role in atheromatous plaque vulnerability.
- CRP serves as a valuable biomarker for assessing CAD activity and cardiovascular risk.
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