title: C-reactive protein levels and arterial abnormalities in the offspring of patients with premature myocardial infarction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether high C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and increased intima-media thickness of the common carotid arteries are coexistent in adolescents and young adults with a family history (FH) of premature myocardial infarction (MI).
  
  
  METHODS
  50 healthy young subjects whose parents had had premature MI and 50 control matched subjects were enrolled in the study. CRP levels and the intima-media thickness of the distal common carotid arteries were evaluated in all subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As compared with the control subjects, the offspring of patients with premature MI had a higher CRP concentration (mean +/- SD 8.8 +/- 2.6 versus 3.9 +/- 0.6 mg/l, p < 0.02) and greater intima-media thickness of the common carotid arteries (values for combined sides, mean +/- SD 0.48 +/- 0.02 versus 0.43 +/- 0.02 mm, p < 0.03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High serum levels of CRP and arterial structural changes are coexistent at an early age in subjects with an FH of premature MI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Croix Rousse Medical Center, ICU, Lyon, France. dr_ras.@netvision.net.il
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Magadle
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Merlon
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Weiner
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mohammedi
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Robert
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D009391:Nephelometry and Turbidimetry; D010290:Parents; D012016:Reference Values; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein