[Evaluation of the relationship between serum high sensitive C-reactive protein and the elasticity properties of the aorta in patients with coronary artery ectasia].

Objective: Previous studies have shown an association between high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and arterial stiffness in most cardiovascular diseases. High sensitive C-reactive protein and arterial stiffness have been considered as independent predictors of cardiovascular mortality in cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between hsCRP, a marker of systemic inflammation and aortic stiffness in patients with coronary artery ectasia (CAE).

Methods: Our study was designed as cross-sectional study. Serum hsCRP levels and aortic stiffness parameters were measured in CAE patients (n=28) and age - and gender-matched control subjects (n=25). Serum hsCRP levels were determined by an immunonephelometry assay. Aortic strain (AS) and aortic distensibility (AD) were calculated from the aortic diameters measured using M-mode echocardiography and blood pressure obtained by sphygmomanometry. Independent samples "t" test, Chi-square test and Spearman correlation test were used for statistical analysis.

Results: Serum levels of hsCRP in CAE group were higher than in the controls (p<0.001). AS and AD were significantly decreased in CAE patients compared to the controls (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). There were negative correlations between hsCRP and AS (r=-0.862; p<0.001), and AD (r=0.852; p<0.001) and a positive correlation between hsCRP, and ASI (r=0.852; p<0.001).

Conclusion: We have demonstrated that there is a significant correlation between serum hsCRP levels and aortic stiffness in patients with CAE. These findings may indicate an important role of hsCRP in the pathogenesis of impaired aortic stiffness in coronary ectasia.