Highly sensitive C-reactive protein concentration and angiographic characteristics of coronary lesion

Ghazala Irfan1, Mansoor Ahmad

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Liquat National Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.

Insights

Increased levels of highly sensitive C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) in patients with acute coronary syndrome correlate with specific high-risk coronary artery lesions, including eccentric plaques and thrombus.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Inflammation Research
  • Diagnostic Biomarkers

Background:

  • Inflammation plays a critical role in all stages of atherosclerotic disease.
  • Chronic inflammation can lead to plaque rupture and acute coronary syndrome.
  • Highly sensitive C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) is a known predictor of outcomes in coronary artery disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the relationship between pre-procedural hs-CRP levels and angiographic features in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 100 patients admitted with acute coronary syndrome.
  • Assessment of the correlation between pre-procedural hs-CRP concentration and coronary angiographic lesions.

Main Results:

  • Mean patient age was 59.26 years, with 64% males and 36% females.
  • Patient diagnoses included unstable angina (34%), Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI, 43%), and ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI, 23%).
  • Mean hs-CRP was 4.26 mg/dl, with significantly higher levels observed in patients with eccentric/irregular lesions and macroscopic thrombus (p=0.01).

Conclusions:

  • Elevated hs-CRP levels in acute coronary syndrome patients are associated with specific high-risk coronary artery lesions.
  • These findings highlight hs-CRP as a potential indicator of complex plaque morphology and thrombotic burden.
Abstract

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