C-Reactive Protein and secondary prevention of coronary events.

Accumulating data suggest that in ischemic syndromes, the activation of the inflammatory process plays a critical role. C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is a useful marker of inflammation in patients with ischemic heart diseases, particularly unstable angina (UA) and acute myocardial infarction. CRP may separate patients into two groups, one with low CRP levels and low in-hospital risk and one with high CRP levels and high in-hospital risk of major coronary events. When considering risk stratification of patients with acute coronary syndromes, the measurement of CRP seems to add further information to cardiac troponins. The seronegativity of both markers is associated with very low risk of myocardial infarction, while 15% of patients with MI have elevated CRP with negative troponins.