Predictive value of C-reactive protein and carotid intimal medial thickness in acute ischemic stroke

Abstract

Background: Elevated CRP and increased CCA-IMT are both associated with the occurrence of stroke. CRP and IMT are closely associated; the higher the CRP, the greater the carotid atherosclerosis as measured by carotid IMT. Objectives: To study the relationship between elevated C-reactive protein as a blood biomarker and increased intimal media thickness of carotid artery, and its relation to infarct size and its impact on prognosis. Materials and methods: This study is an analytical observational study, in which 73 patients who have recently suffered first-ever acute ischemic stroke in the anterior circulation within 72 h were recruited. Only 64 of them were able to continue the study with follow-up during the 1 month and 3 months durations. Magnetic resonance imaging for the brain was done and the infarct volume was measured. All patients had quantitative Serum CRP level within 72 h from stroke onset and carotid duplex with assessment of carotid intimal media thickness (IMT). Results: The results showed there is a significant positive correlation between highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and MRS after 1 month yet no significant correlation was found between hs-CRP and IMT. Conclusion: Highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) could serve as prognostic blood biomarker in long-term follow-up of stroke patients. Non-significant correlation was found in our study between increased hs-CRP and increased intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT).