PMID: 11910871Mar 26, 2002Paper

Acute coronary syndrome--better risk stratification by determination of inflammatory parameters?

Medizinische Klinik
Andreas LinkGeorg Nickenig

Abstract

In the past years coronary atherosclerosis and plaque rupture have been characterized not only as a problem of growth of smooth vascular cells, of activated thrombocytes and coagulation but also of inflammation. Several studies have demonstrated the importance of C-reactive protein as a marker for cardiovascular complications. Also interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and adhesion molecules are discussed as predictors of a poor prognosis in patients with acute coronary syndromes. A positive troponin T test is correlated with an increased rate of early complications; thus, these patients benefit from an aggressive therapy with GP IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists and acute coronary intervention. The C-reactive protein is predictive for late complications such as restenosis, reinfarction and death due to cardiac events; these patients benefit from close controls and from an anti-inflammatory therapy with acetylsalicyclic acid and statins.

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