Relationship of C-reactive protein to presence and severity of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with stable angina pectoris or a pathological exercise test.

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) level is a sensitive marker of inflammation and a probable predictor of cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the presence and the extent of coronary atherosclerosis and CRP level in patients referred for coronary angiography for stable angina pectoris or a pathological exercise test.

Patients And Methods: A group of 200 patients were prospectively analyzed for the relationship between the presence and extent of coronary atherosclerosis and high-sensitivity CRP.