title: High-sensitivity CRP is correlated with neurologic symptoms and plaque instability in patients with severe stenosis of the carotid bifurcation.
abstract: The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and E-selectin with clinical manifestations and plaque characteristics in 88 patients (69 with and 19 without neurological symptoms) with high-grade stenosis of the carotid bifurcation who underwent endarterectomy. The grade of stenosis was quantified by duplex ultrasonography and digital subtraction angiography. Preoperatively, serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and E-selectin were measured. Postoperatively, carotid plaque morphology was established according to the American Heart Association classification. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were significantly (P < .001) higher in symptomatic than in asymptomatic patients, as well as in patients with unstable compared with those with stable plaques (P < .001). Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels correlated significantly ( P < .05) with macrophage count on the plaque. In conclusion, serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels are associated with presence of neurological symptoms and plaque instability in patients with high-grade stenosis of the carotid bifurcation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, General Hospital Georgios Gennimatas, Athens. pfanis@otenet.gr
authors.forename: Theophanis T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Papas
authors.forename: Chrysostomos K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Maltezos
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Papanas
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kopadis
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marakis
authors.forename: Efstratios
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Maltezos
authors.forename: Elias
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bastounis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000097:blood; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D019040:E-Selectin; D002097:C-Reactive Protein