Key result
Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were significantly higher in symptomatic patients and those with unstable carotid plaques (P < .001), and correlated with plaque macrophage count.
Why the study?
Are serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels correlated with neurological symptoms and plaque instability in patients with severe stenosis of the carotid bifurcation?
Observational (n=88)
Are serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels correlated with neurological symptoms and plaque instability in patients with severe stenosis of the carotid bifurcation?
p-value: p=<.001
Elevated serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein is significantly associated with the presence of neurological symptoms and plaque instability in patients with severe carotid stenosis.
hs-CRP may mark unstable carotid plaques in severe stenosis; hypothesis-generating for risk stratification pending prospective validation.
The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and E-selectin with clinical manifestations and plaque characteristics in 88 patients (69 with and 19 without neurological symptoms) with high-grade stenosis of the carotid bifurcation who underwent endarterectomy. The grade of stenosis was quantified by duplex ultrasonography and digital subtraction angiography. Preoperatively, serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and E-selectin were measured. Postoperatively, carotid plaque morphology was established according to the American Heart Association classification. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were significantly (P < .001) higher in symptomatic than in asymptomatic patients, as well as in patients with unstable compared with those with stable plaques (P < .001). Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels correlated significantly ( P < .05) with macrophage count on the plaque. In conclusion, serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels are associated with presence of neurological symptoms and plaque instability in patients with high-grade stenosis of the carotid bifurcation.
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Papas et al. (2008) conducted an observational in Severe stenosis of the carotid bifurcation (n=88). High-sensitivity C-reactive protein and E-selectin vs. Asymptomatic patients and stable plaques was evaluated on Neurological symptoms and plaque instability (p=<.001). Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were significantly higher in symptomatic patients and those with unstable carotid plaques (P < .001), and correlated with plaque macrophage count.
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