hsCRP Level and the Risk of Death or Recurrent Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Myocardial Infarction: a Healthcare‐Based Study

Abstract

Background Beyond the controlled setting of trials, scarce information exists on the burden, predictors, and outcomes associated with elevated hs CRP (high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein) in “real‐world” patients with myocardial infarction ( MI ). Methods and Results We included all‐coming MI survivors undergoing hs CRP testing >30 days after an MI during routine health care in Stockholm, Sweden (2006–2011). hs CRP tests measured during hospitalization/emergency department visits, followed by antibiotics or indicative of acute illness, were excluded, together with patients with ongoing/recent cancer, chronic infections, or immunosuppression. Inflammation was defined over a 3‐month baseline window and associated with subsequent death and major adverse cardiovascular events (composite of MI, ischemic stroke, or cardiovascular death). Included were 17 464 patients (63% men; mean age, 72.6 years) with a median hs CRP level of 2.2 (interquartile range, 1.0–6.0) mg/L and a median of 2.2 (interquartile range, 0.8–4.9) years since their MI . Most (66%) had hs CRP ≥2 mg/L, and 40% had hs CRP >3 mg/L. Lower hemoglobin, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate, and comorbidities (eg, heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, stroke, atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus, and rheumatoid diseases) were associated with higher odds of hs CRP ≥2 mg/L. Conversely, previous percutaneous coronary intervention, ongoing renin‐angiotensin blockade, and statins were associated with lower hs CRP ≥2 mg/L odds. Patients with hs CRP ≥2 mg/L were at higher risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (n=3900; adjusted hazard ratio, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.18–1.38) and death (n=4138; adjusted hazard ratio, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.31–1.53). Results were robust across subgroups of patients and after exclusion of events occurring during the first 6 to 12 months. On a continuous scale, the association between hs CRP and outcomes was linear until hs CRP >5 mg/L, plateauing thereafter. Conclusions Most patients with MI exhibit elevated hs CRP levels. Besides identifying populations at high‐inflammatory risk, this study extends the prognostic validity of this biomarker from trial evidence to real‐world healthcare settings.