C-reactive protein and other inflammatory risk markers in acute coronary syndromes.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review without systematic search or quantitative meta-analysis.
PubMed 12644339 · doi:10.1016/s0735-1097(02)02953-4
What was done
This narrative review synthesized literature evaluating the role of circulating inflammatory markers—primarily C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), alongside emerging markers such as lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2, myeloperoxidase, and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A—in risk stratification and treatment selection for acute coronary syndromes (ACS).
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical data, hazard ratios, or statistical confidence intervals. Qualitatively, it reports that elevated CRP strongly predicts cardiovascular events in healthy individuals, elective revascularization patients, and ACS patients, including those without myocyte necrosis (troponin-negative ACS). It also notes that elevated IL-6 predicts recurrent vascular instability and may identify patients who benefit from early invasive management, while patients with elevated CRP may derive greater benefit from statins, aspirin, and lifestyle modifications.
Why it matters
This review highlights that inflammatory biology provides prognostic information in ACS beyond traditional necrosis markers, potentially guiding both risk stratification and targeted therapy.
Limits
The abstract provides no quantitative metrics, search criteria, or pooled effect estimates. As a narrative review, it lacks a systematic methodology to evaluate publication bias or study quality.
Cited by
- context Studies by Paul Ridker and others have shown that low doses of statins taken intermittently (such as 5 mg every other day or twice a week) significantly reduce vascular inflammation.