Inflammation, the acute phase response and atherosclerosis.

There is increasing evidence that atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder resulting from a combination of processes, and that acute exacerbations of this inflammation are associated with the acute coronary syndromes such as myocardial infarction and unstable angina. Measurement of the serum level of acute phase proteins, such as C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A protein, has been used to predict the risk of acute events in patients with atherosclerosis. Prospective studies have shown that higher serum acute phase protein levels, often within the reference range, are associated with increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke or peripheral vascular disease and predict risk of infarction and death among high-risk patients. These observations have important implications for the assessment of patients and for treatment.