C-reactive protein and rapidly progressive coronary artery disease--is there any relation?
BACKGROUND
High plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) levels have been associated with an unfavorable outcome in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), and a direct participation of CRP in the atherosclerotic process has been postulated.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible relationship of high plasma CRP levels with the rapid progression of coronary atherosclerosis (RPCAD).


METHODS
In all, 194 patients who were readmitted and underwent repeat coronary angiography because of recurrence of symptoms following successful percutaneous coronary intervention were studied. Median angiographic follow-up time was 6 months. Rapid progression CAD was defined as the presence of a new lesion, > 25% in luminal diameter stenosis, in a previously nondiseased vessel, or deterioration of a known, nontreated lesion by at least 25%.


RESULTS
By multivariate analysis, patients with high plasma CRP levels upon first admission were at higher risk of RPCAD. In particular, odds ration (OR) = 1.8; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.3-3.6; p value = 0.02 in patients with CRP = 0.5-2 mg/dl versus patients with CRP < 0.5 mg/dl, and OR = 7.1; 95% CI = 3.8-9.5; p value < 0.001 in patients with CRP > 2 mg/dl versus patients with CRP < 0.5 mg/dl.


CONCLUSIONS
Increased plasma CRP levels could possibly identify patients at high risk for the development of RPCAD.
Zairis
Michael N
MN
Department of Cardiology, Tzanio Hospital, Piraeus, Greece. zairis66@yahoo.gr
Manousakis
Stavros J
SJ
Stefanidis
Alexander S
AS
Vitalis
Denis P
DP
Tsanis
Evangelos M
EM
Hadjigeorgiou
Seraphim M
SM
Fakiolas
Constantine N
CN
Pissimissis
Evangelos G
EG
Olympios
Christopher D
CD
Foussas
Stefanos G
SG
D000368:Aged; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors
D002097:C-Reactive Protein