BACKGROUND

Inflammation is a known factor in the development of atherosclerosis and subsequent CVD events. Ongoing inflammation increases the vulnerability of an atherosclerotic lesion to erosion or rupture. The most extensively studied biomarker of inflammation is C–reactive protein (CRP) potentially linked to underlying atherosclerosis. For which standardized high–sensitivity assays (hs– CRP) are widely available which can detect CRP with a sensitivity range of 0.01 to 10 mg/ L. CRP is an acute phase protein that is produced predominantly by liver under the influence of cytokines such as interleukin (IL)–6 and tumor necrosis factor–alpha [1].

METHODS

A study that aimed to analyze levels of hsCRP in determining morbidity and mortality in acute vascular events like Myocardial infarction (MI), unstable angina and stroke in 50 cases comparing to 50 controls with non vascular acute events. A total of 50 patients were enrolled for the study from the in–patient clinics of the Department of General Medicine and Department of cardiology. A single center matched case – control study design was chosen. Age and sex matched controls (50) were also studied for comparison and meaningful interpretation of data.

RESULTS & CONCLUSION

There is definite association of hsCRP in acute vascular events than other non vascular conditions, Very high prevalence of elevated hsCRP with acute vascular events.

Level of hsCRP has no definite role in determining the mortality in patients with acute vascular events.