ABSTRACT
Background: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a significant contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, with inflammation playing a critical role in its development and progression. C-reactive protein (CRP) is an extensively studied inflammatory biomarker in cardiovascular research. This study aims to analyze the clinical and laboratory features of ACS patients in relation to their inflammatory status, as expressed by high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) levels. Methods: This prospective observational study included 159 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction. Patients were divided into two groups based on hs-CRP levels: Group 1 (hs-CRP ≥ 3 mg/dL) and Group 2 (hs-CRP < 3 mg/dL). Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and angiographic data were collected and analyzed. Results: Patients with elevated hs-CRP levels were significantly older (p = 0.02) and exhibited higher peak troponin I levels (p < 0.001) and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (p = 0.003). The number of stents implanted was higher in the elevated hs-CRP group (p = 0.008). In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in the group with elevated hs-CRP levels (p = 0.04). Conclusion: Elevated hs-CRP levels in ACS patients are associated with greater myocardial injury, reduced cardiac function, and increased in-hospital mortality. These results reinforce the importance of inflammation in the pathophysiology and prognosis of ACS and underscore the potential utility of hs-CRP as a prognostic biomarker. Future large-scale, multicenter studies are warranted to validate these findings and explore targeted anti-inflammatory therapies in improving clinical outcomes.