title: Predictive value of serum Hs-CRP levels for outcomes of pulmonary embolism.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The diagnostic utility of novel biomarkers in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) is still under investigation. While many studies emphasize that high serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) has a moderate relation with PE, few studies show that Hs-CRP can be used to predict the outcome of the treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this study, we aimed to determine whether there is a relationship between serum levels of Hs-CRP and reperfusion of pulmonary tissue. As a secondary objective, the correlation between Hs-CRP and subgroups of PE was investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 85 patients with PE, 38 male (44.7%) and 47 female (55.3%) with an average age of 65.5 ± 13.4, were included in this prospective observational study. Samples of blood were collected before and 48 h after the inception of fibrinolytic therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The correlation of changes in serum Hs-CRP levels with reperfusion duration was statistically significant (r = 0.548, P = 0.01). Second, we found that some subgroups of PE (massive PE: r = 0.719, P = 0.001, and minor PE: r = 0.529, P = 0.001) had a relation with changes in serum Hs-CRP levels, whereas some had none (submassive PE: r = 0.136, P = 0.215).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Changes in serum Hs-CRP levels can be a potential predictor of the outcomes for patients with PE. Additionally, this value of change can notify the presence of some subgroups of PE (massive and minor PE).
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Ataturk University School of Medicine, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors.forename: Omer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Araz
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Ataturk University School of Medicine, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors.forename: Elif
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yilmazel Ucar
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Marmara University, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Aslıhan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yalcin
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Ataturk University School of Medicine, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nazli
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kelercioglu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Ataturk University School of Medicine, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meral
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Ataturk University School of Medicine, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ali Metin
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Gorguner
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Ataturk University School of Medicine, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors.forename: Metin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akgun
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D015424:Reperfusion; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D002097:C-Reactive Protein
keywords: Hs-CRP; acute pulmonary embolism; fibrinolytic therapy; reperfusion duration