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Association between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and left ventricular diastolic function assessed by

Hisashi Masugata1, Shoichi Senda, Michio Inukai

  • 1Department of Integrated Medicine, Kagawa University, Kagawa, Japan. masuguta@med.kagawa-u.ac.jp

The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine
|March 23, 2011
PubMed

Insights

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) may indicate subclinical left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction, not LV hypertrophy, in individuals with cardiovascular risk factors. Elevated hsCRP levels correlate with impaired LV diastolic function.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Biomarkers
  • Echocardiography

Background:

  • High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is a known predictor of cardiovascular events.
  • Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction also predict cardiovascular events.
  • Limited data exist on the relationship between hsCRP, LV hypertrophy, and diastolic function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the associations among hsCRP, LV hypertrophy, and diastolic function.
  • To determine if hsCRP is more closely related to LV hypertrophy or diastolic dysfunction.

Main Methods:

  • 185 patients with cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia) but no overt heart disease were studied.
  • Echocardiography assessed LV hypertrophy (LVMI) and diastolic function (E/A, E', E/E').
  • hsCRP levels were measured and correlated with echocardiographic parameters.

Main Results:

  • hsCRP showed significant correlations with LVMI (r=0.228, p=0.002), E' (r=-0.276, p<0.001), and E/E' (r=0.419, p<0.001).
  • The ratio E/E', a measure of LV diastolic function, exhibited the strongest correlation with hsCRP (r=0.419, p<0.001).
  • Elevated hsCRP was more strongly associated with LV diastolic dysfunction than with LV hypertrophy.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated hsCRP levels appear to reflect subclinical LV diastolic dysfunction.
  • hsCRP may serve as a valuable biomarker for detecting early diastolic dysfunction in at-risk populations.
  • Further research can explore the clinical implications of hsCRP in managing cardiovascular risk.

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