Is there a prognostic role for C-reactive protein in ischemic stroke?

Objectives - We investigated the relationship between C-reactive protein (CRP)-values in the acute phase of stroke and the risk of further fatal and non-fatal ischemic events. Materials and methods - We analysed 462 consecutive incident ischemic strokes. Patients were divided into two subgroups on the basis of a CRP cut-off level of 9 mg/l. Primary end points were any new vascular fatal and non-fatal event recorded during the follow-up period. Results - During a follow-up of 2.27 years, in 132 patients occurred a primary end point. Patients with CRP values >= 9 mg/l had more frequently primary end point. The hazard ratio (HR) for cardiovascular events was 3.59; 1.93 for cerebrovascular events; 7.43 for vascular deaths and 5.78 for death from any cause. Cox proportional hazard multivariate analysis identified CRP values >= 9 (HR = 4.19, 95% CI: 1.85-9.50, P = 0.001), the lack of secondary prevention therapy at discharge (HR = 4.35, 95% CI: 1.87-10.1, P = 0.001), age > 70 years (HR = 3.09, 95% CI: 1.04-9.24, P = 0.04) as independent predictors of fatal events. Conclusions - CRP levels >= 9 mg/l, evaluated in incident ischemic stroke within 24 h, predict a higher risk of further ischemic events and mortality.