C-Reactive Protein Is an Independent Predictor of the Rate of Increase in Early Carotid Atherosclerosis

摘要: Background—An elevated plasma concentration of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a strong predictor cardiovascular events. However, there have been no longitudinal studies the relations between development atherosclerotic lesions and hs-CRP concentrations. Furthermore, it remains unknown whether increased concentrations result in atherosclerosis. Methods Results—The study included 179 outpatients 40 to 79 years age who were treated at our institute for traditional risk factors disease. The patients had evidence advanced carotid atherosclerosis time baseline examination. Patients underwent repeated ultrasonographic evaluation arteries 35±10 months. Blood samples collected measurements. Based on focal intima-media thickening ≥1.1 mm representing plaque, plaque number (PN) score (PS; sum all thicknesses) calculated. was ...