C-reactive protein (CPR) is an acute phase protein, synthesized by the liver in response to cytokines, and reflects active inflammation. Inflammation has a potential role in atherosclerosis triggering and progression. Plasma markers of chronic inflammation have been consistently associated to the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), being high-sensitivity C-reactive protein the marker most studied. The aim of the present study was to determine the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein plasma levels in a group of subjects undergoing coronary angiography, trying to establish a possible correlation between this parameter and the severity of the CAD. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein plasma levels had been determined in blood of 17 subjects with no atheromatosis (controls), 12 subjects presenting mild/moderate atheromatosis and 28 subjects presenting severe atheromatosis, using Biotechnical Reactive C-Protein Turbidimetric Kit with specific high-sensitivity methodology for Cardiology, with linearity to 0.1 up 15mg/l. Significant differences between the means of the three groups were not observed, however the mean values of mild/moderate atheromatosis and severe atheromatosis had remained above the reference values used in Cardiology (0.1-2.5mg/dl). The mean values of the three groups presented an increasing rise from the control group to the severe atherosclerosis, suggesting inflammatory progression due to atherosclerotic injury.
Coronary angiography; Coronary artery disease; High-sensitivity C-reactive protein
