Pattern of C - reactive Protein in Sudanese Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background and Objective: C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase protein that is produced predominantly by hepatocytes under the influence of cytokines such as interleukin (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. C-reactive protein is an extensively studied inflammatory factor whose prognostic value in cardiovascular diseases in recent years has become increasingly important. This study aimed to determine pattern of C-reactive protein in patients admitted with acute coronary syndrome to the coronary care unit at Elobied Teaching Hospital. Patients and Methods: This is a prospective hospital-based study. The study included 102 patients who were consecutively admitted to the coronary care unit with the clinical diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The data were obtained through well-designed data sheet including age, gender, clinical presentation, risk factors together with complications and ECG findings. A written consent was obtained from each patient. Five milliliters of venous blood was withdrawn from each patient within 24 hours of admission, serum Troponin and C- reactive protein levels were measured. The data were analyzed using SPSS version18. Results: In this study, the mean age of patients was 58 ± 12 years. More than half of the patients were male (54%). Hypertension was found in 33% while 28% of patients were diabetic and 18% were smoker. In this series, STEMI was diagnosed in 40 % of patients. Mean level of serum troponin was12 ng/ ml. The level of CRP was remarkably high (Mean47 mg/l). Conclusion and Recommendation: In this study, the level of CRP was high in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of CRP as a predictor of cardiovascular outcome after ACS.