C-reactive protein is elevated in symptomatic compared with asymptomatic patients with carotid artery disease.
OBJECTIVE
to investigate the level of inflammatory markers between symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid stenosis patients.


METHODS
cross-sectional study.


METHODS
a prospective study of 137 consecutive patients, admitted electively for carotid endarterectomy during 1997-2000, was conducted. 125 patients had cerebrovascular symptoms: either stroke (neurological deficit >24 h), Transient ischaemic attack (neurological deficit<24 h) or amaurosis fugax. Twelve patients were asymptomatic. A medical history and a fasting venous blood sample were taken from each patient around 6 weeks before surgery. The plasma concentrations of cholesterol and of inflammatory markers; (high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, sE-selectin) were determined.


RESULTS
the concentration of hs-CRP in the symptomatic group (3.9 mg/L) was significantly higher than in the asymptomatic group (2.1 mg/L; p = 0.04). These concentrations were within normal range (<10 mg/L). sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, sE-selectin and total cholesterol concentrations were not different between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
plasma hs-CRP was elevated in symptomatic compared to asymptomatic patients with carotid artery disease. High sensitivity C-reactive protein has been shown to be of prognostic value in a number of cardiovascular conditions and this study suggests it may be of value to identify patient at high risk of developing neurological deficits.
Rerkasem
K
K
Department of Vascular Surgery, Southampton General Hospital, UK. kr4@soton.ac.uk
Shearman
C P
CP
Williams
J A
JA
Morris
G E
GE
Phillips
M J
MJ
Calder
P C
PC
Grimble
R F
RF
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies
D015415:Biomarkers; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D002097:C-Reactive Protein