title: C-reactive protein and aetiological subtypes of cerebral infarction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We have sought to relate C-reactive protein (CRP), a peripheral marker of inflammation frequently elevated in stroke patients, with aetiology and prognosis of acute cerebral infarction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were included after a first-ever CT/MR documented cerebral infarction. CRP was measured from blood samples taken within the 6th hour of the onset. Titres of C-reactive protein were stratified in quartiles. Aetiology of stroke was from TOAST criteria. Prognosis was mortality within 14 days of stroke.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 648 stroke patients. They were 335 women and 313 men, with a mean age of 70.3 years (median 72). CRP quartiles were mostly increased in cardioembolic strokes, After logistic regression analysis CRP remained an independent factor of 14-day mortality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study suggests that in the acute phase of the cerebral infarction CRP might be either a marker of cardioembolism or a predictive factor for short-term mortality.
authors.affiliation: Stroke Unit, Policlinico San Marco, Osio Sotto (Bergamo), Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Terruzzi
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Valente
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mariani
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moschini
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Camerlingo
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D020766:Intracranial Embolism / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D013997:Time Factors; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein