Abstract

It is now recognized that inflammatory processes regulate all stages of atherosclerosis, from disease initiation to thrombotic complications. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a plasmatic protein used as a general marker of inflammation. The high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) refers to the measurement of CRP in blood samples using assays with sufficient sensitivity to quantify low (baseline) levels of this biomarker. Low-grade chronic inflammatory processes are linked to atherosclerosis and may be screened with the use of hsCRP, thus providing additional information in cardiovascular risk prediction. This review elaborates the role of CRP in atherogenesis and the value of hsCRP as a biomarker in cardiovascular risk prediction in both primary and secondary prevention setting.

Keywords: Atherogenesis, biomarker, cardiovascular disease, C-reactive protein, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, inflammation, prevention.