title: Serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels and the severity of coronary atherosclerosis assessed by angiographic gensini score.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the relationship between plasma high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels with severity of coronary atherosclerosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 80 patients subjected to coronary angiography. The extent of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) was assessed using Gensini score. Patients were divided into three risk groups according to hs-CRP levels (< 1 mg/L--as low risk, 1-3 mg/L--as average risk and >3 mg/L--as high risk). Mean Angiographic Gensini scores were compared among the risk groups. Correlation between serum hs-CRP levels and angiographic Gensini scores was also assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 26 (32.5%) patients belonging to hs-CRP low-risk group had a mean angiographic Gensini score of 11.8 +/- 5.8, 18 (22.5%) belonging to moderate-risk group had a mean score of 28.9 +/- 7.9 and 36 (45%) belonging to high- risk group had a mean score of 78.7 +/- 41.0. By applying ANOVA the mean angiographic Gensini scores showed increasing trend from lower to higher hs-CRP risk groups (p < 0.001). Serum hs-CRP levels showed significant correlation with respective angiographic Gensini scores by Pearson's correlation (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum hs-CRP levels show significant correlation with the severity of Coronary Artery Disease as assessed by angiographic Gensini score.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore.
authors.forename: Arslan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Masood
authors.forename: Shariq Sohail
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Jafar
authors.forename: Zubair
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Akram
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein