Is there a C-reactive protein value beyond which one should consider infection as the cause of acute heart failure?

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2018

Authors

Pereira, J (Author) Other; Ribeiro, A (Author) Other; Ferreira Coimbra, J (Author) Other; Barroso, I (Author) Other; guimaraes, jt (Author) FMUP; Bettencourt P (Author) FMUP; Lourenco, P (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: BMC Cardiovascular Disorders

Vol. 18

ISSN: 1471-2261

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 8 Citations

Scopus - 8 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00M-VHA

DOI: 10.1186/s12872-018-0778-4

Abstract (EN): Background: Heart Failure (HF) is a low grade inflammatory condition. High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is an established marker of inflammation. A cut-off value of hsCRP beyond which an infection should be sought has never been studied in HF. We aimed to determine the best hsCRP cut-off for infection prediction in acute HF. Methods: We analyzed patients included in an acute HF registry - EDIFICA (Estratificacao de Doentes com InsuFlciencia Cardiaca Aguda). Admission hsCRP measurement was available as part of the registry's protocol. Patients with acute coronary syndrome as the cause of acute HF were excluded from the registry. Infection was considered according to the diagnosis registered in the discharge record. A receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the best hsCRP cut-off for infection prediction. Results: We studied 615 patients. Mean age was 76 years, 45.2% were male, 60.3% had systolic dysfunction. Median admission hsCRP was 20.3 (9.5-55.5) mg/L; in 41.6% the cause of decompensation was an infection. The area under the ROC curve for admission hsCRP in the prediction of infection was 0.79 (0.76-0.83); the best hsCRP cut-off was 25 mg/L with a sensitivity of 72.7%, specificity 77.2%, positive predictive value 69.4% and negative predictive value 79.9%. Age and elevated hsCRP independently associated with an infection as the precipitant of acute HF. Conclusions: We suggest 25 mg/L as a cut-off beyond which an infection should be sought underlying acute HF. Almost 80% of the patients with hsCRP<25 mg/L are not infected and 69.4% of those with higher hsCRP have a concomitant infection.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8