title: C-reactive protein and atherosclerosis of the thoracic aorta: a population-based transesophageal echocardiographic study.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Diseases and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Yoram
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Agmon
authors.forename: Bijoy K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Khandheria
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Meissner
authors.forename: Tanya M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Petterson
authors.forename: W Michael
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: O'Fallon
authors.forename: David O
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Wiebers
authors.forename: Teresa J H
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Christianson
authors.forename: Joseph P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: McConnell
authors.forename: Jack P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Whisnant
authors.forename: James B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Seward
authors.forename: A Jamil
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Tajik
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein