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

Abstract

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.