C-reactive protein and aortic stiffness and wave reflection in middle-aged and elderly men from the community

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Inflammation Research
• Vascular Biology

Background:

• High plasma C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and arterial stiffness are established cardiovascular disease risk factors.
• Elevated pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx) are observed in conditions associated with vascular inflammation and traditional risk factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and aortic stiffness in men.
• To determine if this relationship persists independently of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and subclinical atherosclerosis.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 362 men measured serum hs-CRP levels using nephelometry.
• Aortic PWV and AIx were assessed using the SphygmoCor device, analyzing carotid-femoral and radial artery waveforms.
• Statistical models were used to analyze the association between hs-CRP quintiles and measures of aortic stiffness, with adjustments for confounders.

Main Results:

• Aortic PWV significantly increased with higher hs-CRP levels, with an adjusted increase of 0.84 m/s in the highest vs. lowest quintile (P=0.02).
• AIx also significantly increased with higher hs-CRP levels, showing an adjusted increase of 4.57% (P<0.01).
• Adjusting for subclinical atherosclerosis attenuated the PWV association but not the AIx association, suggesting independent effects.

Conclusions:

• Low-grade inflammation, as indicated by hs-CRP, is independently associated with increased aortic stiffness.
• This association is present beyond traditional cardiovascular risk factors and subclinical atherosclerosis.
• hs-CRP may serve as a valuable marker for assessing vascular stiffness and cardiovascular risk.