A comparative study of markers of inflammation for the assessment of cardiovascular risk in patients presenting to the emergency department with acute chest pain suggestive of acute coronary syndrome.
BACKGROUND
The role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is established. Little is known however, regarding the use of inflammatory markers as predictors of future cardiovascular events in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with suspected ACS.


OBJECTIVE
To assess whether biomarkers that predict cardiovascular risk in apparently healthy individuals and coronary artery disease patients are useful predictors of future cardiovascular events in patients presenting to the ED with chest pain suggestive of ACS.


METHODS
We compared the abilities of serum C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), albumin and leukocyte count to identify subjects with ACS and those who are at high risk of developing events during a 30-day follow-up.


RESULTS
144 patients (mean age 62+/-13 years, 45 female) presenting to the ED <3 h after the onset of symptoms suggestive of ACS were evaluated. Final hospital diagnoses were non-ischemic chest pain in 43 (30%) and ACS in 101 (70%) patients. Patients with ACS had significantly higher leukocyte count (p<0.0001) and hs-CRP levels (p<0.02) and lower albumin concentrations, compared to patients with NICP (p<0.0001). Lower albumin concentrations (p=0.03) and hs-CRP (p=0.049) were predictors of recurrent events at 30 days. On multivariate analysis, however, only leukocyte count was a predictor of ACS (OR 20.9; 95% CI: 3.7-19.5; p=0.01) and high hs-CRP levels were a predictor of clinical outcome (OR 2.8; 95% CI: 1.5-5.2; p=0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Leukocyte count is an independent predictor of ACS in patients presenting to the ED with chest pain suggestive of ACS and high hs-CRP levels are an independent predictor of clinical outcome in ACS patients.
Roy
Debashis
D
Coronary Artery Disease Research Unit, St George's Hospital Medical School, London, United Kingdom.
Quiles
Juan
J
Avanzas
Pablo
P
Arroyo-Espliguero
Ramón
R
Sinha
Manas
M
Kaski
Juan Carlos
JC
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000097:blood*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000209:etiology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis*
D015415:Biomarkers; D012709:Serum Albumin; D002097:C-Reactive Protein