Acute phase reactants in coronary artery disease - a review

The inflammatory reaction may play an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of atherosclerosis in coronary arteries. It may also contribute to the development of periods of instability in the natural history of coronary artery disease (CAD). Acute - phase reactants, such as C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A protein and fibrinogen, reach high levels in patients with unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction (AMI). More evidence is needed to support the hypothesis that acute phase response is significantly correlated with coronary events as well as with the risk of subsequent CAD in patients with an unfavourable risk profile. Acute phase reactants may be regarded as valuable short-term and long-term prognostic markers of unstable periods and unfavourable outcome in patients with different types of CAD. Though their contribution seems to be independent of other accompanying risk factors such as arterial hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cigarette smoking and obesity, they are significantly correlated with them.
key words:    inflammation • acute phase response • C-reactive protein • serum amyloid A protein • fibrinogen • coronary artery disease

Keywords: Inflammation, acute phase response, C-Reactive Protein, Serum Amyloid A Protein, Coronary Artery Disease, Fibrinogen