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The Role of C-Reactive Protein as a Risk Predictor of Coronary Atherosclerosis: Implications from the JUPITER Trial

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Abstract

Much controversy surrounds the use of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) as a marker of cardiovascular (CV) risk. Although data regarding the association of hs-CRP with CV disease is extensive and consistent, its role in clinical practice remains unclear. The American Heart Association (AHA) recently published a scientific statement regarding criteria for evaluation of novel markers of CV risk. This article provides a comprehensive review of data regarding hs-CRP as a risk marker for CV disease in the context of these AHA criteria. The impact of the JUPITER trial on the utility of hs-CRP as a risk marker is emphasized. The review concludes with an evidence-based statement regarding the current role of hs-CRP in CV risk prediction.

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Disclosure

The authors report no potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article.

Dr. Antonio Gotto, Editor-in-Chief of Current Atherosclerosis Reports, reviewed this article and provided comments and suggestions. He was a member of the JUPITER Steering Committee, for which he received honoraria, and has served as a consultant for AstraZeneca. He has no financial relationship with the manufacturer of the hs-CRP test.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Thura T. Abd, Danny J. Eapen, Abhinav Goyal, Allen Dollar & Laurence Sperling

  2. Piedmont Heart Institute, 275 Collier Rd NW, Atlanta, GA, 30309, USA

    Ambareesh Bajpai

  3. Department of Epidemiology, Emory Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Abhinav Goyal

  4. Department of Medicine, J. Willis Hurst Internal Medicine Residency Program, Emory University School of Medicine, 69 Jesse Hill Jr Drive SE, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA

    Thura T. Abd

  5. 1364 Clifton Road NE, Suite D 407B, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA

    Danny J. Eapen

  6. 1518 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA, 30030, USA

    Abhinav Goyal

  7. 49 Jesse Hill Jr. Dr., NE, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA

    Allen Dollar

  8. 1525 Clifton Road, NE, Suite 214, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA

    Laurence Sperling

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  1. Thura T. Abd
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Correspondence to Laurence Sperling.

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Abd, T.T., Eapen, D.J., Bajpai, A. et al. The Role of C-Reactive Protein as a Risk Predictor of Coronary Atherosclerosis: Implications from the JUPITER Trial. Curr Atheroscler Rep 13, 154–161 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-011-0164-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-011-0164-5

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