The role of C-reactive protein in cardiovascular disease risk.

Over the past few years, a flurry of data in the medical literature has strongly implicated C-reactive protein (CRP) as a marker of inflammation in coronary artery disease (CAD). Recognizing the likely integral role that inflammation plays in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, many hospital laboratories have tests to measure CRP concentration in the clinical setting. However, the clinical use of these tests still need definition. To date, of the plasma-based markers investigated, CRP provides the strongest risk prediction for cardiovascular disease in men and women. Questions remain regarding the degree to which CRP can improve risk stratification beyond that of the traditional risk factors of CAD.