C-reactive protein elevation and disease activity in patients with coronary artery disease.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to assess (1) whether C-reactive protein (CRP) is an independent predictor of future cardiovascular events after adjustment for coronary artery disease (CAD) severity and (2) whether CRP levels correlate with number of angiographically complex coronary artery stenosis.


RESULTS
We studied 825 consecutive angina patients (mean age 63+/-10 years, 74% men), 700 with chronic stable angina (CSA) and 125 with acute coronary syndromes without ST-segment elevation (ACS). The composite endpoint of non-fatal acute myocardial infarction, hospital admission with class IIIb unstable angina and cardiac death was assessed at one year follow-up. Hs-CRP level was higher in CSA patients with the combined end-point (P=0.03) after adjustment for number of diseased coronary arteries. Hs-CRP was also significantly higher in patients with ACS compared to CSA ( P=0.004) and correlated with number of complex angiographic stenoses (r=0.36, P=0.01). Hs-CRP was also increased in patients with NYHA functional class III or IV compared to those in class I or II (p<0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
CRP levels predict future cardiovascular events independently of CAD severity and correlate with number of angiographically complex coronary artery stenosis in patients with ACS. Thus, CRP levels are a marker of atheromatous plaque vulnerability and CAD activity.
Arroyo-Espliguero
Ramón
R
Coronary Artery Disease Research Unit, Department of Cardiological Sciences, St. George's Hospital Medical School, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK.
Avanzas
Pablo
P
Cosín-Sales
Juan
J
Aldama
Guillermo
G
Pizzi
Carmine
C
Kaski
Juan Carlos
JC
D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000097:blood; D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D044967:Serum
D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein