Postacute C-reactive protein levels are elevated in cervical artery dissection

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Neurology
• Inflammation Research

Background:

• C-reactive protein (CRP) is a known marker for atherosclerosis and stroke, primarily studied in elderly populations.
• The association between CRP and spontaneous cervical artery dissection (CAD) or cryptogenic stroke in younger individuals remains less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels and cerebral ischemia in patients under 60.
• To determine if elevated CRP is associated with large artery atherosclerosis (LAA), CAD, or cryptogenic stroke.

Main Methods:

• hs-CRP levels were measured in 62 patients (<60 years) with ischemic stroke (LAA, CAD, cryptogenic) and 54 age- and sex-matched controls.
• Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis identified the optimal CRP cutoff for risk stratification.

Main Results:

• CRP levels were significantly elevated in patients with LAA and CAD compared to controls (P<0.001 and P=0.0013, respectively).
• Patients with cryptogenic stroke did not show elevated CRP levels.
• A CRP cutoff of 0.71 mg/L was independently associated with a history of CAD (P=0.005) after adjusting for conventional risk factors.

Conclusions:

• Elevated CRP is strongly associated with cervical artery dissection (CAD), independent of conventional cardiovascular risk factors.
• These findings suggest that inflammatory mechanisms may contribute to the pathogenesis of CAD.
• Larger studies are recommended to confirm these results and further elucidate the role of inflammation in CAD.