[Predictive value of fibrinogen and high-sensitivity C-reaction protein for cardiovascular events in patients with stable coronary artery disease].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the predictive value of elevated fibrinogen and high-sensitivity C-reaction protein (hs-CRP) level on cardiovascular events in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD).


METHODS
From January 2002 to November 2002, 185 patients (aged 47 - 85 years) with stable CAD referred for coronary angiography were enrolled and divided into control-F (fibrinogen level < or = 4.0 g/L, n = 104) and elevated-F (fibrinogen level > 4.0 g/L, n = 81), or control-hs (hs-CRP < or = 3.0 mg/L, n = 99) and elevated-hs (hs-CRP> 3.0 mg/L, n = 86). Exclusion criteria included cardiomyopathy, New York Heart Association class IV congestive heart failure, recent myocardial infarction or coronary artery revascularization and cancer. During three years follow-up, cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, stroke and other vascular events were assessed.


RESULTS
A total of 21 cardiovascular nonfatal events and 10 cardiovascular deaths were observed. Cardiovascular events was significantly higher in patients in elevated-F group than that in control-F group [23.46% vs. 11.54%, cholesterol-, body mass index-, smoking-, and hypertension-adjusted relative risk 1.97, 95% CI (1.68 to 2.40), P < 0.05] and in elevated-hs group than in control-hs group [24.42% vs. 10.10%, adjusted relative risk 2.32, 95% CI (1.76 to 2.89), P < 0.05]. The relative risk of cardiovascular events for patients with fibrinogen > 4.0 g/L and hs-CRP > 3.0 mg/L was 3.84 (P < 0.05), 95% CI (2.80 to 4.99) compared with patients with fibrinogen < or = 4.0 g/L and hs-CRP < or = 3.0 mg/L.


CONCLUSIONS
Both fibrinogen and hs-CRP are independent important predictors of cardiovascular nonfatal and fatal events in patients with stable CAD. Combination of elevated fibrinogen and hs-CRP increased their predictive value for cardiac events.
Huang
Wei
W
Department of Geriatrics, Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing University of Medical Science, Chongqing 400010, China.
Chen
Qing-wei
QW
Lei
Han
H
Deng
Wei
W
Ke
Da-zhi
DZ
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012307:Risk Factors
D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein