Inflammation and carotid artery disease: systemiccompromise in the acute ischemic syndromes andpotential association between progression of diseaseand markers of inflammation

pp 164-170

Abstract

Background

Patients (pt) with acute ischemic syndromes (AIS) presentincreased serum markers of inflammation, which correlatewith an impaired prognosis.

Objectives

1) To compare levels of C-reactive protein (C-rp) and leuko-cyte count (LC) at baseline and at 6 months (6 mo) betweenpt with AIS and a control group (CG). 2) To assess if C-rp and LC are associated with progression of atherosclerosisin carotid arteries at 6 mo.

Material and methods

We included 55 pt with AIS and 55 CG. Carotid echographywas done at baseline and at 6 mo and plaques were classi-fied into unstable (U) and stable (S).

Results

C-rp was increased in AIS at baseline (54%vs 9%), and wasassociated with carotid atherosclerosis, but not to exten-sion. AIS presented elevated LC at baseline and at 6 mo,but none in CG (p < 0.0001). AIS presented a larger num-ber of plaques and U type. LC was not associated with thetotal number of plaques, but with progression at 6 months(3.1±2.1 vs. 1.7±1.4) (p = 0.03).

Conclusions

AIS present more extension and severity of disease. ElevatedC-rp was associated with presence of atherosclerosis, butnot with extension. A higher proportion of those with el-evated LC at baseline progressed at 6 mo.