ABSTRACT
Despite diagnostic and therapeutic advances, the rate of event recurrence is still
relatively high and short- and long-term prediction of risk is necessary although
extremely challenging to provide optimal treatment to patients with acute coronary
syndromes. Available data recommend the use of C-reactive protein (CRP) as a prognostic
marker in patients with acute coronary syndromes in addition to other prognostic factors
including troponin levels. Evaluation of CRP levels at time of admission should be
included in the evaluation of the patient's risk profile, including clinical data,
associated diseases, markers of myocardial necrosis (especially troponin levels),
left ventricle performance, and age. A cutoff level of 10 mg/L for CRP may be used
as a marker of higher risk for death and possibly myocardial infarction in acute coronary
syndromes, and a cutoff of 3 mg/L identifies a group of patients with intermediate
risk and a high rate of recurrent events.
KEYWORDS
Inflammation - acute coronary syndromes - C-reactive protein