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Published on: December 2, 2014
Correlation between high sensitive C-reactive protein and aortic stiffness using magnetic resonance imaging in
Pattraporn Srirattana1, Thananya Boonyasirinant
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Insights
This study found a significant correlation between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), a marker of inflammation, and pulse wave velocity (PWV), indicating aortic stiffness. These findings suggest inflammation may contribute to abnormal aortic wall properties.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Biomarkers
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a key inflammatory marker and independent risk factor for atherosclerosis.
- Aortic stiffness, measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV), is a predictor of cardiovascular events.
- The relationship between hs-CRP and aortic stiffness (PWV) has not been previously explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between hs-CRP and aortic stiffness (PWV).
- To test the hypothesis that aortic stiffness is linked to inflammatory processes.
Main Methods:
- Ninety patients were enrolled for cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR).
- Aortic stiffness was assessed using PWV calculated from velocity-encoded CMR.
- hs-CRP levels were measured using an immunonephelometry assay.
Main Results:
- A significant positive correlation was observed between PWV and hs-CRP (r = 0.251, p = 0.017).
- PWV also showed a significant correlation with age (r = 0.244, p = 0.02).
- Mean hs-CRP was 7.62 ± 28.59 mg/l and mean PWV was 11.43 ± 5.13 m/sec.
Conclusions:
- This study establishes a correlation between the inflammatory marker hs-CRP and abnormal aortic properties (PWV) using MRI.
- The findings suggest that inflammation may be a contributing factor to altered aortic wall properties.
Background:
High sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), a representative of an inflammatory cascade, has been established as a crucial independent risk factor of atherosclerosis from prior studies. Like Aortic stiffness, an indirect index of arterial distensibility, has a promising role in the forecast of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) via cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), is one of the most reliable parameters of aortic stiffness. Nevertheless, the relationship between these two predictors has not been explored. The present study aims to prove the hypothesis that aortic stiffness, assessed by PWV, is related to an inflammatory process.
Objective:
To determine the relationship between hs-CRP and PWV using velocity-encoded CMR.
Material And Method:
Ninety patients referring for CMR owing to known or suspected coronary artery disease at Siriraj Hospital were consecutively enrolled into the present study from October 2010 to February 2011. Informed consent and baseline characteristic were recorded. Aortic stiffness, as assessed by PWV using CMR, was calculated as the ratio of distance from mid ascending to descending aorta (m) divided by time delay measured at 2 according sites (sec) hs-CRP was analyzed using Immunonephelometry assay by Seimens. The correlation between PWV and hs-CRP was analyzed using Pearson correlation method.
Results:
The authors enrolled 90 patients with 48 male (53.3%), with a mean age of 68 +/- 10 years. The baseline characteristic revealed mean body mass index (BMI) 26.2 +/- 4.2 kg x/sq m and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 58.46 < or = 20.3%. Mean hs-CRP was 7.62 +/- 28.59 mg/l and PWV was 11.43 +/- 5.13 m/sec. There was significant correlation between PWV and hs-CRP (r = 0.251, p = 0.017) and PWV and age (r 0.244, p = 0.02).
Conclusion:
The correlation of an inflammatory marker, hs-CRP and abnormal aortic property, PWV, has been established in this study, using a concept of MRI. This potentially reflects an inflammation as a contributor to an abnormal aortic wall property.
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