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Coronary Progenitor Cells and Soluble Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Prognosis after Coronary Angioplasty
10:03

Coronary Progenitor Cells and Soluble Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Prognosis after Coronary Angioplasty

Published on: January 28, 2020

C-reactive protein and coronary composition in patients with percutaneous revascularization

A Pucci1, E Brscic, E Tessitore

  • 1Regina Margherita Hospital, ASO OIRM-S.Anna, Turin, Italy. angelapucci@libero.it

European Journal of Clinical Investigation
|March 28, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Increased C-reactive protein (CRP) levels correlate with complex coronary artery disease features. This study confirms CRP

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular pathology
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Atherosclerosis research

Background:

  • C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is a known predictor of cardiovascular events.
  • Serum CRP levels correlate with thin cap coronary plaques.
  • The association between CRP and in vivo atherothrombotic features remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between serum CRP levels and in vivo atherothrombotic features.
  • To analyze coronary atherectomy specimens for pathological markers of atherosclerosis.

Main Methods:

  • Coronary specimens were obtained from patients undergoing directional atherectomy for unstable versus stable coronary syndrome.
  • Histology, morphometry, and immunohistochemistry were employed for assessment.
  • Antibodies against erythrocyte-specific protein glycophorin A, endothelial, and macrophage antigens were utilized.

Main Results:

  • Elevated serum CRP levels (> /= 1 mg L(-1)) were found in 24/98 patients.
  • Higher CRP levels were significantly associated with plaque hypercellularity, macrophage infiltration, neoangiogenesis, and intraplaque hemorrhage (P < 0.05).
  • Unstable angina patients exhibited larger atheromas, more hypercellular plaques, abundant macrophages, neoangiogenesis, intraplaque hemorrhages, and less fibrous tissue (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

  • A positive correlation exists between elevated serum CRP levels and pathological features of complex atherothrombotic coronary disease.
  • This study confirms the in vivo mechanistic role of CRP in coronary atherothrombosis.
Abstract

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