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Updated: Aug 20, 2026
A Sensitive and Specific Quantitation Method for Determination of Serum Cardiac Myosin Binding Protein-C by Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay
Published on: August 8, 2013
[An ultrasensitive C-reactive protein assay--a new parameter in cardiovascular risk]
1Centrum experimentálního výzkumu srdce a cév, Laborator pro výzkum aterosklerózy Institutu klinické a experimentální mediciny, Praha.
Insights
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) indicates atherosclerosis risk and prognosis. Lifestyle changes and medication can lower elevated hsCRP levels, impacting cardiovascular health.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is a risk factor for atherosclerosis and its complications like myocardial infarction and stroke.
- In patients with existing atherosclerotic disease, hsCRP concentration predicts prognosis.
- Causes of elevated hsCRP include metabolic syndrome, genetic factors, and chronic infections, with adipose tissue inflammation in obesity playing a key role.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the pathophysiology of elevated hsCRP concentrations.
- To discuss the clinical applications of hsCRP measurement.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current knowledge on hsCRP.
- Analysis of factors contributing to elevated hsCRP.
- Discussion of interventions to lower hsCRP.
Main Results:
- hsCRP is a validated risk marker for atherosclerosis and its sequelae.
- Obesity, particularly abdominal obesity, is associated with increased hsCRP.
- Elevated hsCRP is modifiable through pharmacological and lifestyle interventions.
Conclusions:
- hsCRP is a significant biomarker for cardiovascular risk assessment.
- Understanding the pathophysiology of hsCRP aids in clinical management.
- hsCRP measurement offers valuable prognostic information in atherosclerotic disease.
Abstract:
Elevated C-reactive protein concentration, measured by an ultrasensitive method (hsCRP), has been proved to be a risk factor for atherosclerosis progression and its complications (myocardial infarction and stroke) in otherwise healthy men and women. In patients with already diagnosed atherosclerotic disease elevated concentration of hsCRP predicts prognosis. There are multiple causes of elevated hsCRP concentration: metabolic changes (e.g. as a part of metabolic syndrome), genetic background and chronic infections. Proinflammatory effect of adipose tissue in obese individuals seems to play an important role, hsCRP levels correlate with markers of abdominal obesity. Elevated hsCRP concentrations can be lowered both pharmacologically and by a lifestyle change. This review covers current knowledge of pathophysiology of elevated hsCRP concentration and possible use of this method in clinical medicine.
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