A comparative study of markers of inflammation for the assessment of cardiovascular risk in patients presenting to the emergency department with acute chest pain suggestive of acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is established. Little is known however, regarding the use of inflammatory markers as predictors of future cardiovascular events in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with suspected ACS.

HYPOTHESIS: To assess whether biomarkers that predict cardiovascular risk in apparently healthy individuals and coronary artery disease patients are useful predictors of future cardiovascular events in patients presenting to the ED with chest pain suggestive of ACS.

METHODS: We compared the abilities of serum C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), albumin and leukocyte count to identify subjects with ACS and those who are at high risk of developing events during a 30-day follow-up.

RESULTS: 144 patients (mean age 62+/-13 years, 45 female) presenting to the ED <3 h after the onset of symptoms suggestive of ACS were evaluated. Final hospital diagnoses were non-ischemic chest pain in 43 (30%) and ACS in 101 (70%) patients. Patients with ACS had significantly higher leukocyte count (p<0.0001) and hs-CRP levels (p<0.02) and lower albumin concentrations, compared to patients with NICP (p<0.0001). Lower albumin concentrations (p=0.03) and hs-CRP (p=0.049) were predictors of recurrent events at 30 days. On multivariate analysis, however, only leukocyte count was a predictor of ACS (OR 20.9; 95% CI: 3.7-19.5; p=0.01) and high hs-CRP levels were a predictor of clinical outcome (OR 2.8; 95% CI: 1.5-5.2; p=0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Leukocyte count is an independent predictor of ACS in patients presenting to the ED with chest pain suggestive of ACS and high hs-CRP levels are an independent predictor of clinical outcome in ACS patients.