Proteína C reactiva ultrasensible (PCRus) como marcador pronóstico de la Enfermedad Cardiovascular

The importance of classical risk factors for cardiovascular disease has been demonstrated; however, new risk factors, called emergent risk factors, that optimize the management and detection of cardiovascular risks and as a consequence benefit the population with more efficient preventive programs, have been identified. In order to improve the prediction of cardiovascular risk, the scientific community has centered its interest in the determination of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) as an inflammation marker, since different epidemiologic prospective studies have demonstrated its usefulness in the prediction of some cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarct, stroke and peripheral vascular disease. Additionally, during the past few years, many researchers have showed the participation of different cells and molecules of the immune response as mediators of vascular lesion related to atherosclerosis. The C-reactive protein is an acute phase protein that has classically been considered as an inflammation marker. Under normal conditions, its hepatic synthesis is less than 1 mg/L which is increased if the person undergoes any infectious or inflammation process. This elevation can be as high as 100 times the normal level during the first 24 to 48 hours and remains for a few days. It has been demonstrated that the hs-CRP can provide information on each of the cardiovascular risk levels according to Framingham scale; hs-CRP levels lower than 1 mg/L, between 1 and 3 mg/L and higher than 3 mg/L, correspond to low, medium and high cardiovascular risk, respectively. The predictive value of hs-CRP is increased when it is evaluated in association with the lipid profile and the appropriated correlation is done.