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Association of C-reactive protein with the presence and extent of angiographically verified coronary artery disease.

Prospective studies have demonstrated that markers of inflammation, such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and fibrinogen, predict future cardiovascular disease risk. However, the association between the hsCRP and fibrinogen levels and the extent of coronary stenosis in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) remains controversial. The aim of our case-control study was to assess the association of inflammatory markers with the occurrence and extent of CAD. Serum hsCRP and plasma fibrinogen levels were measured in 138 patients with angiographically assessed CAD and in 183 healthy subjects matched according to age and gender. According to the number of significantly stenosed (>or= 50%) vessels, the patients were classified in four groups: those without stenosis (0-vessel disease) and those with 1, 2 or 3-vessel disease. The hsCRP and fibrinogen levels were significantly higher in patients than in controls (p < 0.001). Although the hsCRP and fibrinogen levels tended to increase with the number of stenotic vessels, the differences were only significant for hsCRP (p < 0.01). Regression analysis indicated hsCRP as an independent predictor for the presence (OR = 3.573, p < 0.05) and extent of CAD (beta = 1.095, p < 0.05). In conclusion, the present study is the first report concerning the frequency distribution of hsCRP in Serbian healthy subjects and CAD patients. We have shown that elevated levels of hsCRP are associated with the presence and extent of CAD.