[C-reactive protein, cardiovascular issues of an acute-phase protein: an update for theclinician]

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Inflammation Biology
• Biomarker Discovery

Background:

• Inflammation is a critical factor in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) development.
• C-reactive protein (CRP) is a primary systemic inflammation biomarker, produced by hepatocytes.
• Elevated CRP levels correlate with increased cardiovascular event incidence and recurrence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an updated perspective on C-reactive protein (CRP) as a cardiovascular risk biomarker.
• To highlight the significance of CRP measurement beyond traditional risk factors in atherosclerotic disease.
• To discuss the clinical utility of CRP in the study and treatment of ASCVD.

Main Methods:

• Review of epidemiological studies associating CRP levels with cardiovascular events.
• Analysis of CRP's role in cardiovascular risk assessment and therapeutic strategies.
• Examination of factors influencing CRP levels, such as sex, ethnicity, and assay variations.

Main Results:

• Strong epidemiological evidence supports CRP's association with cardiovascular event risk.
• CRP measurement adds value to traditional risk factors in risk calculators.
• CRP is increasingly considered a therapeutic target in cardiovascular intervention regimens.

Conclusions:

• CRP is a valuable biomarker for assessing cardiovascular risk in atherosclerotic disease.
• Consideration of factors influencing CRP levels is crucial for accurate clinical interpretation.
• CRP measurement offers a significant advancement in understanding and managing ASCVD.