Relationship between inflammatory markers with the presence and severity of coronary artery disease

Abstract

Inflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The chronic inflammation process in atherosclerosis usually results an acute coronary syndromes by plaque rupture. This study aimed to assess the relationship of serum inflammatory markers (high sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin 6 (IL6) with the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) using Gensini score. This study was conducted at the department of cardiology and internal medicine in CHU of Monastir, university of Monastir. One hundred eleven (39 females and 72 males) with angiographically evaluated CAD were studied. In all, these patients CAD severity was assessed by Gensini scoring and and vessel scoring. Control group consisted of 120 healthy subjects (53 males and 67 females). Fasting venous blood samples were analysed for lipid profile and inflammatory markers. There is non-significant difference in age among healthy subjects and CAD patients. Statistical analysis revealed that CAD patients had significantly higher TG, ApoB, hsCRP and IL6 levels and significantly lower HDL and Apo A1 levels compared to control subjects. Comparison of lipid profile showed that triple vessel disease patients had significantly lower HDL levels (1.03 vs 0.9, P < 0.05) than one and two vessels. Triple vessel disease patients had a higher hsCRP and IL6 levels compared to one and two vessel disease. Linear regression analysis between serum inflammatory markers and CAD severity determined by Gensini scores showed a significant positive correlation: hsCRP ( r = 0.40, P = 0.000), IL6 ( r = 0.49, P = 0.000). These results suggest that patients with angiographically evaluated CAD have a higher levels of inflammatory markers (hsCRP and IL6) correlated with the presence and severity of CAD.