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Independent prognostic value of elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in chronic heart failure

Wei-Hsian Yin1, Jaw-Wen Chen, Hsu-Lung Jen

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Taipei, Taiwan.

American Heart Journal
|May 8, 2004
PubMed

Insights

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels predict prognosis in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). Elevated hsCRP identifies a high-risk group, improving risk stratification beyond left ventricular ejection fraction.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Biomarkers
  • Clinical Risk Prediction

Background:

  • Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) is mildly elevated in chronic congestive heart failure (CHF) patients, but standard assays lack sensitivity for risk prediction.
  • High-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) assays are now available, enabling assessment of their prognostic value in CHF.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the predictive value of hsCRP for prognosis in patients with CHF.
  • To assess if hsCRP can improve risk stratification in CHF patients.

Main Methods:

  • Examined serum hsCRP levels in 108 patients with CHF and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <50%.
  • Tracked major adverse cardiac events (death, transplantation, hospitalization) over a median follow-up of 403 days.

Main Results:

  • hsCRP concentrations significantly increased with CHF severity.
  • hsCRP and LVEF were independent predictors of adverse outcomes (P=.047 and P=.024, respectively).
  • hsCRP identified a distinct high-risk group, potentially enhancing risk stratification beyond LVEF.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated hsCRP is an independent predictor of prognosis in CHF.
  • hsCRP provides additional prognostic information for risk stratification and treatment decisions in chronic CHF patients.
Abstract

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