title: Quantitative C reactive protein levels and acute myocardial infarction complications in a Hispanic population: an observational analytical pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The association between ischemic cardiomyopathy and C reactive protein (CRP) as an acute-phase inflammatory reactant has been reported. Increased highly sensitive C-reactive protein levels have been associated with a higher cardiovascular risk. We found no appreciable structural differences between Quantitative CRP and Highly Sensitive CRP but we found differences cost of both tests. Data addressing a relationship between QtC reactive protein levels and acute post myocardial infarction complications in Hispanic population was collected. Our study aims to provide a new element of prediction for the diagnosis of acute post myocardial infarction omplications in a Hispanic population. Also we could identify the possible presence of a QtCRP predictor range associated with acute post MI complication. We determined the presence of the primary endpoint of sudden death and secondary endpoints of heart failure, reinfarction and revascularization (PTCA) acute post myocardial infarction complications in a Hispanic population and after an acute myocardial infarction correlated them with QtC reactive protein levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was an observational analytic pilot study. After the consent form was signed, QtCRP blood levels were taken 24 hours after the cardiac event. We followed the patient for one month after the acute event identifying further visits to the Emergency Room and determined the presence of post acute infarction complications (chest pain, heart failure, reinfarction and cardiac death) during that period of time. Then, we determined the relationship between the QtCRP level and the type of acute postinfarction complication.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We examined 20 acute myocardial infarction subjects and 14 of them developed secondary endpoints (all 14 of them had PTCA intervention). Two patients reinfarcted and 1 developed heart failure. There were no deaths. Levels of QtCRP of 6.07 mg/dl or more were associated with acute post infarction cardiovascular complications (secondary end points). Levels of QtCRP of 1.91 mg/dl or less were not associated with acute post infarction cardiovascular complications. Levels between 1.91 and 6.07 did not correlate well with the occurrence of complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There seems to be a correlation between elevated QtCRP levels and secondary end points such as re-infarction, heart failure and PTCA. There is a probable identification range of QtCRP blood levels in patients with or without acute post IM complications.
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Residency, Damas Hospital - Ponce School of Medicine Teaching Consortium, Ponce, Puerto Rico.
authors.forename: Evelyn
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rentas
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pérez Arzola
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bredy
mesh_terms: D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications*; D010865:Pilot Projects
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein