Publication:

Study of C-reactive protein in patients with acute myocardial infarction attending tertiary care teaching hospital in Saurashtra region of Gujarat, India

Background Acute Myocardial Infarction is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality globally. A growing body of evidence supports the concept of local and systemic inflammation playing a critical pathophysiologic role in progression of atherothrombosis and occurrence of infarction. Objectives of the study were to assess the role of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients with first acute myocardial infarction attending tertiary care teaching hospital.

Methods A cross sectional study was carried out from October 2009 to September 2010 in tertiary care teaching institute in Saurashtra region, Gujarat, India. A total of 50 patients admitted to intensive cardiac care unit with a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction were enrolled. Serum CRP levels were sent at 6 hrs to 36 hrs of chest pain. Patients were assessed for early complications as well as left ventricular function on Echocardiography. Results were analysed using appropriate statistical methods.

Results In this study, the mean age of presentation of acute myocardial infarction was 52.7 years which is a decade younger than in previous studies. CRP levels were found to be elevated in 79.4% of patients with anterior wall myocardial infarction. Raised CRP levels were associated with greater incidence of (50%) early complications after acute myocardial infarction. Raised CRP levels were also associated with a LVEF<40% in 32.5% cases implying a poorer prognosis.

Conclusions Present study concluded that raised CRP levels correlated with poorer prognosis in acute myocardial infarction. And can be used as a simple tool for prognostic stratification in acute myocardial infarction.