The prognostic value of pre-procedural plasma C-reactive protein in patients undergoing elective coronary angioplasty

• Published in: European heart journal 2002-06, Vol.23 (12), p.960-966
• Main Authors: de Winter, R.J., Heyde, G.S., Koch, K.T., Fischer, J., van Straalen, J.P., Bax, M., Schotborgh, C.E., Mulder, K.J., Sanders, G.T., Piek, J.J., Tijssen, J.G.P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; angina pectoris; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers - blood; C-Reactive Protein - metabolism; coronary angioplasty; Coronary Artery Disease - diagnosis; Coronary Artery Disease - metabolism; Coronary Artery Disease - therapy; Diseases of the cardiovascular system; Elective Surgical Procedures; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Incidence; Inflammation; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Myocardial Infarction - blood; Myocardial Infarction - etiology; Myocardial Infarction - mortality; Netherlands - epidemiology; Patient Admission; Postoperative Complications - blood; Postoperative Complications - etiology; Postoperative Complications - mortality; Predictive Value of Tests; Preoperative Care; Prognosis; Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects); Risk Factors; Survival Analysis; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0195-668X; 1522-9645
• DOI: 10.1053/euhj.2001.2988

Aims The acute phase reactant C-reactive protein is an important prognostic risk factor in patients with both stable and unstable coronary artery disease. The potential prognostic implications of an abnormal pre-procedural C-reactive protein concentration in patients undergoing elective coronary angioplasty may be relevant for subsequent treatment. Methods and Results Pre-procedural plasma levels of C-reactive protein were measured in 501 patients with stable coronary artery disease undergoing elective coronary angioplasty. The incidence of death or myocardial infarction during a 2-year follow-up was 10·6% (24/227) in patients with an increased C-reactive protein level (>3mg.l−1) and 2·9% (8/274) in patients with a normal C-reactive protein level (RR 3·9, 95% CI 1·7–8·9). Survival without death, myocardial infarction, urgent revascularization or hospital admission for unstable angina was significantly lower in patients with an increased C-reactive protein vs patients with a normal C-reactive protein (log-rank 14·62, P