Turk Kardiyol Dern Ars. 2005; 33(6): 360-371

High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) as a new risk factor

Aylin Yıldırır¹

Recently, demonstration of a clear association between atherosclerosis and inflammation have led to the thought that several circulatory inflammatory markers can be of use in the management of cardiovascular risk stratification. Among these markers, the most interest has been concentrated on high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). There is growing evidence that hsCRP may be of value in predicting adverse cardiac events both in patients with acute coronary syndromes and those without any known cardiovascular disease. Moderately elevated hsCRP levels are associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular events, independent of other risk factors. In primary prevention, hsCRP provides additional information on the risks associated with lipid levels, thus helping us determine candidates for statin therapy. This review aims to summarize the most recent literature data concerning factors affecting hsCRP levels, the role of hsCRP in risk stratification, and suggestions for its clinical use.

Keywords: Biological markers/blood; cardiovascular diseases/ blood/etiology; coronary disease/immunology; C-reactive protein/ metabolism; primary prevention; risk factors

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