Open AccessC‐reactive protein and rapidly progressive coronary artery disease is there any relation?
Author(s) -
Zairis Michael N.,
Manousakis Stavros J.,
Svtefanidis Alexander S.,
Vitalis Denis P.,
Tsanis Evangelos M.,
Hadjigeorgiou Seraphim M.,
Fakiolas Constantine N.,
Pissimissis Evangelos G.,
Olympios Christopher D.,
Foussas Stefanos G.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
clinical cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.263
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-8737
pISSN - 0160-9289
DOI - 10.1002/clc.4960260208
Subject(s) - medicine , c reactive protein , coronary artery disease , cardiology , inflammation
Background : High plasma C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels have been associated with an unfavorable outcome in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), and a direct participation of CRP in the atherosclerotic process has been postulated. Hypothesis : The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible relationship of high plasma CRP levels with the rapid progression of coronary atherosclerosis (RPCAD). Methods : In all, 194 patients who were readmitted and underwent repeat coronary angiography because of recurrence of symptoms following successful percutaneous coronary intervention were studied. Median angiographic follow‐up time was 6 months. Rapid progression CAD was defined as the presence of a new lesion, > 25% in luminal diameter stenosis, in a previously nondiseased vessel, or deterioration of a known, nontreated lesion by at least 25%. Results : By multivariate analysis, patients with high plasma CRP levels upon first admission were at higher risk of RPCAD. In particular, odds ration (OR) = 1.8; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.3‐3.6; p value = 0.02 in patients with CRP = 0.5‐2 mg/dl versus patients with CRP < 0.5 mg/dl, and OR = 7.1; 95% CI = 3.8‐9.5; p value < 0.001 in patients with CRP > 2 mg/dl versus patients with CRP < 0.5 mg/dl. Conclusion : Increased plasma CRP levels could possibly identify patients at high risk for the development of RPCAD.