Association between increase level of high-sensitive CRP (hs CRP) and
non-arrhythmic ECG changes and echocardiographic abnormalities in
patients with acute coronary syndrome
Abstract
Background: As elevation of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) is occurred
following left ventricular dysfunction (LVD), relationship between
increasing serum CRP level and abnormal changes in
electrocardiography(ECG) pattern. The present study aimed to examine
association between increase level of high-sensitive CRP (hs-CRP) and
non-arrhythmic ECG changes and echocardiographic abnormalities in
patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: This
cross-sectional study was conducted on 120 consecutive patients finally
diagnosed as ACS and hospitalized at cardiac care units (CCU). The
participants were classified as the two groups with increased level or
normal of hs-CRP level. Results: The patients with the increased level
of hs-CRP had significantly higher level of cardiac enzymes. The group
with increased level of hs-CRP experienced more ST-segment elevation
myocardial infarction (STEMI) than those with normal serum hs-CRP level,
but other diagnoses including unstable angina, non-STEMI, heart failure,
and emergency hypertension were similarly observed in both groups. The
two groups were comparable in terms of mean left ventricular ejection
fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVeDD),
prevalence of valvular heart diseases as well as in wall motion
abnormality assessed by echocardiography. ST-segment elevation in
different leads was more frequent in those with elevated hs-CRP level
than in the group with normal hs-CRP condition (19.6% versus 1.4%, p =
0.001); but ST-segment depression and T wave inversion were similarly
revealed in the two groups. Conclusion: Elevated level of hs-CRP can
predict occurrence of STEMI, but may not be valuable to predict
echocardiographic abnormalities including LVD or hypertrophy.