[Atherosclerotic lesion of the vessels in patients with stable coronary artery disease: relations with concentration of C-reactive protein].
OBJECTIVE
To study value of C reactive protein (CRP) in development of atherosclerotic lesion of vascular wall and its relation to extent of pathological process in patients with stable coronary artery disease.


METHODS
We studied 307 patients with stable coronary artery disease (278 men, 29 women) aged 33 - 80 years (mean age 58 years) with arterial atherosclerosis of various severity and extent. All patients were subjected to clinical, biochemical, and instrumental examination. Coronary angiography was performed when indicated. Analysis of traditional risk factors was also carried out. CRP was measured with high sensitivity method.


RESULTS
Elevated CRP level (> 3 mg/1) was found in 34% of patients. Patients who had atherosclerotic changes (stenosing plaques) in carotid, pelvic or leg arteries, celiac trunk, renal and mesenteric arteries (group 2, n=37) had significantly higher CRP concentrations (p=0.002) than patients who had only atherosclerosis in coronary arteries (group 1, n=270). CRP concentration did not correlate with number of stenosed coronary vessels according to coronary angiographic findings. Patients with hypertension, type 2 diabetes and smokers had significantly higher CRP concentrations ( =0.013, =0.002, =0.004, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with stable coronary artery disease combination of coronary and peripheral atherosclerosis is associated with increased CRP concentration. CRP and data of coronary angiography in patients with stable coronary artery disease are essentially independent factors. Elevated CRP level is associated with traditional risk factors of coronary artery disease (smoking, hypertension, type 2 diabetes).
Paniugova
E V
EV
Aleksandrova
E N
EN
Nasonov
E L
EL
Karpov
Iu A
IuA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012426:Russia / Q000453:epidemiology
D002097:C-Reactive Protein