Admission C-reactive protein serum levels and survival in patients with acute myocardial infarction with persistent ST elevation

Objective To evaluate the prognostic value of a single and early determination of high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels at admittance in patients with acute myocardial infarction with persistent ST elevation. Patients and methods We evaluated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels in 247 consecutive acute myocardial infarction with persistent ST elevation patients at admittance. Patients were monitored for the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events. Results Mean follow-up was 26 months. High C-reactive protein levels were principally associated with age >= 65 years (P=0.01), diabetes (P=0.03) and reduced left ventricle ejection fraction (P=0.048). We observed a significant C-reactive protein level difference between the major adverse cardiovascular event-free group and the major adverse cardiovascular event group (28.2 +/- 21.9 vs. 47.7 +/- 31.9 mg/l, P = 0.03), between deceased patients group (vs. 81.5 +/- 51.8 mg/l, P < 0.001) and early deaths (vs. 129.5 +/- 71.9 mg/l, P < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier plots for survival and major adverse cardiovascular event occurrence showed a significant separation (P=0.01 and 0.002 by log-rank test, respectively) between high and low C-reactive protein level groups. C-reactive protein levels were independent risk predictors of major adverse cardiovascular events (odds ratio 2.931, 95% confidence interval 1.512-5.893; P=0.046) and death (odds ratio 5.068, 95% confidence interval 2.056-20.195; P=0.04). Patients with high C-reactive protein levels and age >= 65 years were at highest risk for major adverse cardiovascular event occurrence (odds ratio 5.658, 95% confidence interval 2.898-6.249; P=0.022) and death (odds ratio 8.120, 95% confidence interval 5.656-22.729; P=0.03). Conclusions High C-reactive protein levels identify patients with a worse prognosis after acute myocardial infarction with persistent ST elevation. The evaluation of C-reactive protein and age may provide a tool to select high-risk patients.