The level of C-reactive protein in patients with acute pulmonary embolism

Abstract

Background. Modern risk stratification in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) does not consider all possible factors that may influence the course and prognosis of the disease. In view of this, it is promising to study inflammatory markers, especially C-reactive protein (CRP), for their prognostic value in PE. The purpose was to study the clinical and prognostic value of increased CRP levels in patients with PE during hospitalization. Material and methods. One hundred and three patients with diagnosis of acute PE confirmed by computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) or by autopsy were examined, their СRP level was evaluated during hospitalization. In addition to a general clinical examination, all patients were screened for PE risk factors and risk of premature death according to the ESC 2019 guidelines. La-boratory tests included quantitative determination of CPK-MB, D-dimer and СRP in addition to basic ones. Electrocardiography, echocardiography, and CTPA were performed as part of the instrumental studies. Results. Depending on the СRP median (26 mg/l), patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 (СRP < 26 mg/l) included 52 people, group 2 (СRP > 26 mg/l) — 51 patients. It was found that in group 1, patients with low risk predominated (p = 0.044) and the average pulmonary embolism severity index was significantly lower (p = 0.011). In group 2, the average blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) during hospitalization was significantly lower (p = 0.004), the average parameters of the left ventricle, namely end-diastolic and end-systolic volume, were significantly greater (p = 0.045 and p = 0.043, respectively), and the ejection fraction was significantly lower (p = 0.002). Also, the average levels of leukocytes (p = 0.0003), neutrophils (p = 0.00001), urea (p = 0.008), CPK-MB (p = 0.028) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p = 0.012) were significantly higher in group 2. Correlation analysis revealed a reliable inverse connection between CRP levels and initial SpO2 and a direct relationship between CRP level and the size of the right atrium, CPK-MB level, and increased risk of early mortality from PE. Conclusions. Elevated CRP was found in 92 % of patients with acute PE and was associated with a significant decrease in SpO2 (p < 0.004), increased left ventricular size (p < 0.05), and decreased ejection fraction (p < 0.003). Correlation analysis revealed a relationship between CRP level and the risk according to the pulmonary embolism severity index, SpO2, the level of CPK-MB and the size of the left atrium.