Prognostic Significance of Baseline Plasma C-Reactive Protein Levels in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to assess baseline plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients with acute coronary syndromes and their significance in prognosis. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out at the department of internal medicine in a tertiary health care center. Fifty patients diagnosed with acute coronary syndromes (ACSs) (ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) or unstable angina (UA)/non-STEMI) were admitted and detailed history, clinical examination, and laboratory tests were done on each patient. All routine blood investigations were carried out along with electrocardiography and echocardiography in all patients. Plasma concentrations of CRP were measured with an ultra-sensitive latex immunoassay before reperfusion, 24 h after admission, and at discharge. Results: A total of 50 patients were taken. Thirty-eight cases were found to be male and the remaining 12 were female, of which 35 were STEMI and 15 were UA/NSTEMI. The maximum prevalence of ACS was observed in the age group of 41–50 years. Among all five presenting symptoms, chest pain was the most prevalent, followed by sweating, breathlessness, vomiting, and giddiness. The major risk factors in ACS include smoking being the most common followed by diabetes and dyslipidemia. In 16 patients, left ventricular failure was recorded, which was the most common complication followed by cardiogenic shock and atrioventricular block. ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation is recorded in five patients who died, 36 patients with complications, and three patients among 40 patients without complications where CRP levels are ≥0.6 mg/dl. Four patients out of 10 patients who showed CRP levels <0.6 mg/dl are known to have complications. Conclusions: It was concluded that the measurement of plasma CRP levels at the time of admission in patients with suspected coronary artery disease may be helpful in the identification of a group of patients with a high risk of cardiac complications.