Comparison of C-reactive protein and terminal complement complex in patients with unstable angina pectoris versus stable angina pectoris

• Published in: The American journal of cardiology 2002-04, Vol.89 (8), p.909-912
• Main Authors: Martin Hoffmeister, Hans, Ehlers, Raila, Büttcher, Evi, Kazmaier, Silke, Szabo, Sebastian, Beyer, Martin E, Steinmetz, Armin, Seipel, Ludger
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acute-Phase Reaction; Aged; Angina pectoris; Angina Pectoris - blood; Angina Pectoris - immunology; Angina, Unstable - blood; Angina, Unstable - immunology; Biological and medical sciences; C-Reactive Protein - analysis; Cardiology; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cardiovascular disease; Case-Control Studies; Complement Activation; Complement Membrane Attack Complex - analysis; Coronary heart disease; Coronary vessels; Female; Heart; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Prognosis; Proteins; Troponin T - blood
• ISSN: 0002-9149; 1879-1913
• DOI: 10.1016/S0002-9149(02)02237-3

Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) can identify patients with coronary artery disease who are prone to future acute events. We investigated whether elevated CRP is related to the activation of the terminal complement cascade in 66 patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP), in 45 patients with stable angina pectoris, and in 42 controls. CRP, additional acute phase reactants, the terminal complement complex (sC5b-9), leukocytes, and troponin T were measured. In 47 patients with UAP the CRP values were regarded as elevated (>0.3 mg/dl). In patients with UAP and elevated CRP, the plasma levels of sC5b-9 were markedly higher than in patients with UAP and lower CRP (245 ± 14 vs 188 ± 19 ng/ml, p