C-reactive protein is elevated in symptomatic compared with asymptomatic patients with carotid artery disease

Rerkasem, K., Shearman, C.P., Williams, J A., Morris, G.E., Phillips, M.J., Calder, P.C. and Grimble, R.F. (2002) C-reactive protein is elevated in symptomatic compared with asymptomatic patients with carotid artery disease. European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, 23 (6), 505-509. (doi:10.1053/ejvs.2002.1632).

Abstract

Objectives: to investigate the level of inflammatory markers between symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid stenosis patients.
Design: cross-sectional study
Materials and methods: a prospective study of 137 consecutive patients, admitted electively for carotid endarterectomy during 1997–2000, was conducted. 125 patients had cerebrovascular symptoms: either stroke (neurological deficit >24 h), Transient ischaemic attack (neurological deficit<24 h) or amaurosis fugax. Twelve patients were asymptomatic. A medical history and a fasting venous blood sample were taken from each patient around 6 weeks before surgery. The plasma concentrations of cholesterol and of inflammatory markers; (high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, sE-selectin) were determined.
Results: the concentration of hs-CRP in the symptomatic group (3.9 mg/L) was significantly higher than in the asymptomatic group (2.1 mg/L; p = 0.04). These concentrations were within normal range (<10 mg/L). sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, sE-selectin and total cholesterol concentrations were not different between the two groups.
Conclusion: plasma hs-CRP was elevated in symptomatic compared to asymptomatic patients with carotid artery disease. High sensitivity C-reactive protein has been shown to be of prognostic value in a number of cardiovascular conditions and this

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Contributors

Author: P.C. Calder

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