Predictive value of C-reactive protein and carotid intimal medial thickness in acute ischemic stroke

Background Elevated CRP and increased CCA-IMT are both associated with the occurrence of stroke. CRP and IMT are closely associated; the higher the CRP, the greater the carotid atherosclerosis as measured by carotid IMT. Objectives To study the relationship between elevated C-reactive protein as a blood biomarker and increased intimal media thickness of carotid artery, and its relation to infarct size and its impact on prognosis. Materials and methods This study is an analytical observational study, in which 73 patients who have recently suffered first-ever acute ischemic stroke in the anterior circulation within 72 h were recruited. Only 64 of them were able to continue the study with follow-up during the 1 month and 3 months durations. Magnetic resonance imaging for the brain was done and the infarct volume was measured. All patients had quantitative Serum CRP level within 72 h from stroke onset and carotid duplex with assessment of carotid intimal media thickness (IMT). Results The results showed there is a significant positive correlation between highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and MRS after 1 month yet no significant correlation was found between hs-CRP and IMT. Conclusion Highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) could serve as prognostic blood biomarker in long-term follow-up of stroke patients. Non-significant correlation was found in our study between increased hs-CRP and increased intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT).