Ceruloplasmin is a better predictor of the long-term prognosis compared with fibrinogen, CRP, and IL-6 in patients with severe unstable angina.

Background: We investigated the time course and prognostic value of fibrinogen (Fib), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and ceruloplasmin (CP) in patients with severe unstable angina.

Methods: All 4 substances were measured on admission and after 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours, and after 7 days and 6 months in 40 patients with Braunwald's classification class IIIB unstable angina.

Results: All recorded substances increased significantly; 15 patients had cardiovascular events during hospitalization and 11 patients during follow-up. The time course and the mean values of Fib, CRP, and IL-6 were similar in patients with and without complications both during hospitalization and follow-up. However, CP levels from 6 hours until 6 months were significantly higher in patients with complications during follow-up (P < .05).

Conclusions: Fib, CRP, IL-6, and CP levels alter in patients with severe unstable angina. However, only CP levels were related to 12-month follow-up prognosis.