Association of high sensitivity C – reactive protein (hs-CRP) with unstable angina: An alarm for vulnerable plaques in CAD patients

Introduction: Inflammation plays a crucial role in the development and progression of Coronary Artery Disease. HsCRP has been identified as one of the promising inflammatory marker associated with CAD. It is synthesized at various sites but its secretion by macrophages residing in vulnerable plaque has been shown to be associated with plaque rupture. Unstable angina is linked with vulnerable plaques. Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the circulatory levels of hsCRP in CAD patients and its association with severity of the disease. Materials and Methods: In the present study 103 CAD patients, diagnosed for coronary artery disease (by Coronary Angiography and by ECG findings) were included with 96 controls. Further CAD patients were sub classified according to number of vessels involved (SVD, DVD and TVD) and type of angina (Stable and Unstable). Results: In the present study anthropometric parameters and lipid profile did not show any significant statistical variation in CAD and control groups except HDL. Low levels of HDL have been reported in CAD patients as compared to controls [39.56(±14.44)/ 44.694(±12.44)]. High hsCRP levels have been observed in CAD patients than controls group [5.07(±3.25) /1.9 (± 1.45)]. In CAD group, CAD patients with unstable angina reported the highest concentration of hsCRP than CAD patients with stable angina independent of number of diseased vessels [7.86 (±2361)/ 3.43 (± 2.50)]. Conclusion: The present study observed highest levels of hsCRP in CAD patients with unstable angina and considered them as the most risky group amongst the CAD patients.