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Coronary spasm is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation

Teruhiko Itoh1, Yuji Mizuno, Eisaku Harada

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Kumamoto Kinou Hospital, Kumamoto Aging Research Institute, Kumamoto, Japan. teruito@m6.dion.ne.jp

Circulation Journal : Official Journal of the Japanese Circulation Society
|June 26, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Minor elevations in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) are linked to coronary spasm. This suggests chronic low-grade inflammation may contribute to ischemic heart disease development.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Inflammation Research

Background:

  • Coronary spasm is a key factor in ischemic heart disease.
  • Low-grade inflammation may be linked to coronary spasm pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and coronary spasm.
  • To explore the role of inflammation in the development of coronary spasm.

Main Methods:

  • Acetylcholine provocation tests were performed on 199 patients with chest pain and normal coronary angiograms.
  • Patients were categorized into spasm (112) and non-spasm (87) groups.
  • Serum hs-CRP levels and coronary risk factors were compared between groups; multivariate analysis was conducted.

Main Results:

  • Serum hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in the spasm group (median: 1.2 mg/L) compared to the non-spasm group (median: 0.5 mg/L).
  • Multivariate analysis identified hs-CRP (OR 2.28) and smoking history (OR 2.25) as independent predictors of coronary spasm.
  • A hs-CRP cutoff value of >= 2 mg/L was associated with coronary spasm.

Conclusions:

  • Minor elevations in serum hs-CRP are significantly associated with coronary spasm.
  • These findings suggest that chronic low-grade inflammation plays a role in the pathogenesis of coronary spasm.
Abstract

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