C-reactive protein and atherosclerosis of the thoracic aorta: a population-based transesophageal echocardiographic study.
BACKGROUND
An association between systemic inflammatory markers and the presence and severity of atherosclerotic plaques has not been demonstrated in a nonselected population. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of inflammatory markers with aortic atherosclerotic plaques in a sample of the general population and in a subgroup free of clinical vascular disease.


METHODS
Transesophageal echocardiography was performed in 386 subjects (median age, 66 years; 53% men). We examined the association between systemic inflammatory markers and aortic atherosclerotic plaques.


RESULTS
Aortic plaques were present in 267 subjects (69%). Plaques at least 4 and 6 mm thick and mobile debris were present in 114, 41, and 20 subjects, respectively. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level was associated with the presence of aortic plaques, adjusting for age, sex, smoking status, and additional atherosclerosis risk factors. Among subjects with plaques, hs-CRP level was independently associated with plaques at least 6 mm thick; similar trends were observed for the associations of hs-CRP level with plaques at least 4 mm thick and mobile debris. In subjects with aortic plaques who were free of clinically apparent coronary artery or cerebrovascular disease, hs-CRP level was independently associated with plaques at least 6 mm thick.


CONCLUSIONS
Level of hs-CRP is independently associated with the presence and severity of aortic atherosclerotic plaques. These observations establish the association of systemic inflammation with anatomically defined atherosclerosis in the general population.
Agmon
Yoram
Y
Division of Cardiovascular Diseases and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Khandheria
Bijoy K
BK
Meissner
Irene
I
Petterson
Tanya M
TM
O'Fallon
W Michael
WM
Wiebers
David O
DO
Christianson
Teresa J H
TJ
McConnell
Joseph P
JP
Whisnant
Jack P
JP
Seward
James B
JB
Tajik
A Jamil
AJ
D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005260:Female; D006403:Hematologic Tests; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein