A STUDY OF C REACTIVE PROTEIN LEVELS IN THE ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH OUTCOME OF THE INFARCT

Abstract

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP), an acute-phase reactant, plays a pivotal role in the inflammatory response associated with atherosclerosis and acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study aimed to evaluate the association between CRP levels and the outcome of infarction in AMI patients. Methods: A prospective analytical study was conducted in the Department of General Medicine at a tertiary care center. A total of 104 patients with AMI were enrolled and divided into two groups based on CRP levels: elevated CRP (n = 52) and normal CRP (n = 52). Data collected included clinical, electrocardiographic, biochemical, echocardiographic parameters, and complications. CRP and troponin I levels were measured at admission and 48 hours post-admission. Outcomes assessed included infarct size, ejection fraction, arrhythmias, heart failure, mortality, and clinical recovery. Results: Patients in the elevated CRP group were significantly older and predominantly presented with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), whereas the normal CRP group had non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). The elevated CRP group showed significantly higher troponin levels, lower ejection fraction (34.2% vs. 58.4%), and more extensive wall motion abnormalities. Complications such as atrial fibrillation (42.3%), ventricular tachycardia (26.9%), heart failure (86.5%), and mortality (19.2%) were significantly higher in the elevated CRP group (p < 0.001). Multivariate regression confirmed CRP as an independent predictor of poor outcomes. Conclusion: Elevated CRP levels are strongly associated with worse infarct outcomes in AMI patients, including larger infarct size, reduced ejection fraction, higher complication rates, and poorer clinical recovery. CRP serves as a valuable prognostic biomarker, aiding in early risk stratification and management decisions in acute coronary syndromes.