Donate Help Contact The AHA Sign In Home
American Heart Association
Circulation
Search: search_blue_button Advanced Search
Circulation. 2003;107:1103-1105
Published online before print February 24, 2003, doi: 10.1161/01.CIR.0000059938.95404.92
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
107/8/1103    most recent
01.CIR.0000059938.95404.92v1
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Vainas, T.
Right arrow Articles by Schurink, G. W. H.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Vainas, T.
Right arrow Articles by Schurink, G. W. H.
Right arrowPubmed/NCBI databases
*Substance via MeSH
Medline Plus Health Information
*Aortic Aneurysm
Related Collections
Right arrow CV surgery: aortic and vascular disease
Right arrow Other Vascular biology

(Circulation. 2003;107:1103.)
© 2003 American Heart Association, Inc.


Brief Rapid Communications

Serum C-Reactive Protein Level Is Associated With Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Size and May Be Produced by Aneurysmal Tissue

Tryfon Vainas, MD; Tim Lubbers, MSc; Frank R.M. Stassen, PhD; Selma B. Herngreen, BSc; Marja P. van Dieijen-Visser, MD, PhD; Cathrien A. Bruggeman, PhD; Peter J.E.H.M. Kitslaar, MD, PhD; Geert Willem H. Schurink, MD, PhD

From the Departments of Surgery (T.V., T.L., P.J.E.H.M.K., G.W.H.S.), Clinical Chemistry (M.P.v.D.-V.), and Medical Microbiology (F.R.M.S., S.B.H., C.A.B.), University Hospital of Maastricht and Cardiovascular Research Institute of Maastricht, Maastricht, the Netherlands.

Correspondence to Tryfon Vainas, Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Maastricht, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands. E-mail t.vainas{at}ah.unimaas.nl

Background— Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are characterized by extensive transmural inflammation and C-reactive protein (CRP) has emerged as an independent risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, we evaluated a possible association between serum CRP and aneurysm dimension in patients with asymptomatic AAA. Furthermore, the possibility of CRP production by aneurysmal tissue has been examined.

Methods and Results— Serum CRP was determined highly sensitive (hsCRP) and aneurysmal size was measured in 39 patients with AAA. The presence of CRP mRNA was assessed in the aneurysmal tissue of 16 patients. Mean (SD) hsCRP was 3.23 (2.96) mg/L. After log-transformation, hsCRP correlated significantly with aneurysmal size (r=0.477, P=0.002). When the patients were divided into 3 equally sized groups according to hsCRP level, aortic diameter increased from lowest to upper hsCRP-tertile (49 mm, 61 mm, and 67 mm, respectively; P<0.05 for 3rd versus 1st tertile). This association persisted after correction for risk factors. CRP mRNA was found in 25% of aneurysmal aortic tissues.

Conclusions— This is the first report showing that serum hsCRP is associated with aneurysmal size and that—in at least some patients—CRP may be produced by aneurysmal tissue. These data underscore the inflammatory nature of AAA formation, suggesting that serum hsCRP may serve as a marker of AAA disease and that CRP produced in vascular tissue might contribute to aneurysm formation.


Key Words: aorta • aneurysm • inflammation




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
Int J EpidemiolHome page
O. P Almeida, P. E Norman, R. Allcock, F. v. Bockxmeer, G. J Hankey, K. Jamrozik, and L. Flicker
Polymorphisms of the CRP gene inhibit inflammatory response and increase susceptibility to depression: The Health in Men Study
Int. J. Epidemiol., August 1, 2009; 38(4): 1049 - 1059.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther.Home page
G. Huang, C. Luo, X. Gu, Z. Wu, Z. Wang, Z. Du, C. Hu, and L. Tang
Mechanical Strain Induces Expression of C-Reactive Protein in Human Blood Vessels
J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., July 1, 2009; 330(1): 206 - 211.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
VASC ENDOVASCULAR SURGHome page
J. Wallinder, D. Bergqvist, and A. E. Henriksson
Proinflammatory and Anti-inflammatory Cytokine Balance in Patients With Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and the Impact of Aneurysm Size
Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, June 1, 2009; 43(3): 258 - 261.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
VASC ENDOVASCULAR SURGHome page
A. Gottsater, D. Flondell-Site, T. Kolbel, and B. Lindblad
Associations Between Statin Treatment and Markers of Inflammation, Vasoconstriction, and Coagulation in Patients With Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, January 1, 2009; 42(6): 567 - 573.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
ANGIOLOGYHome page
E. Papalambros, F. Sigala, S. Georgopoulos, K. I. Paraskevas, I. Andreadou, X. Menenakos, P. Sigalas, A. L. Papalambros, G. Vourliotakis, A. Giannopoulos, et al.
Malondialdehyde as an Indicator of Oxidative Stress During Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair
Angiology, September 1, 2007; 58(4): 477 - 482.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
SEMIN CARDIOTHORAC VASC ANESTHHome page
R. B. Yates and M. Stafford-Smith
The genetic determinants of renal impairment following cardiac surgery.
Seminars in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia, December 1, 2006; 10(4): 314 - 326.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
J Bone Joint Surg BrHome page
M. D. Gardiner, J. Mangwani, and W. W. Williams
Aneurysm of the common iliac artery presenting as a lumbosacral plexopathy
J Bone Joint Surg Br, November 1, 2006; 88-B(11): 1524 - 1526.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
HypertensionHome page
S. Shiraya, K. Miwa, M. Aoki, T. Miyake, M. Oishi, K. Kataoka, S. Ohgi, T. Ogihara, Y. Kaneda, and R. Morishita
Hypertension Accelerated Experimental Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Through Upregulation of Nuclear Factor {kappa}B and Ets
Hypertension, October 1, 2006; 48(4): 628 - 636.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
K. Shimizu, R. N. Mitchell, and P. Libby
Inflammation and Cellular Immune Responses in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, May 1, 2006; 26(5): 987 - 994.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
HeartHome page
D Skowasch, S Schrempf, C J Preusse, J A Likungu, A Welz, B Luderitz, and G Bauriedel
Tissue resident C reactive protein in degenerative aortic valves: correlation with serum C reactive protein concentrations and modification by statins
Heart, April 1, 2006; 92(4): 495 - 498.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Pathol.Home page
I. Jialal, S. Devaraj, U. Singh, J. Fan, and Y. E. Chen
Sources of CRP in Atherosclerotic Lesions
Am. J. Pathol., March 1, 2006; 168(3): 1054 - 1056.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
C. Duftner, R. Seiler, P. Klein-Weigel, H. Gobel, C. Goldberger, C. Ihling, G. Fraedrich, and M. Schirmer
High Prevalence of Circulating CD4+CD28- T-Cells in Patients With Small Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, July 1, 2005; 25(7): 1347 - 1352.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Pathol.Home page
S. K. Venugopal, S. Devaraj, and I. Jialal
Macrophage Conditioned Medium Induces the Expression of C-Reactive Protein in Human Aortic Endothelial Cells: Potential for Paracrine/Autocrine Effects
Am. J. Pathol., April 1, 2005; 166(4): 1265 - 1271.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
W. Maier, L. A. Altwegg, R. Corti, S. Gay, M. Hersberger, F. E. Maly, G. Sutsch, M. Roffi, M. Neidhart, F. R. Eberli, et al.
Inflammatory Markers at the Site of Ruptured Plaque in Acute Myocardial Infarction: Locally Increased Interleukin-6 and Serum Amyloid A but Decreased C-Reactive Protein
Circulation, March 22, 2005; 111(11): 1355 - 1361.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
M. Takano, S. Inami, F. Ishibashi, K. Okamatsu, K. Seimiya, T. Ohba, S. Sakai, and K. Mizuno
Angioscopic follow-up study of coronary ruptured plaques in nonculprit lesions
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., March 1, 2005; 45(5): 652 - 658.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
T. C. Register, J. A. Cann, J. R. Kaplan, J. K. Williams, M. R. Adams, T. M. Morgan, M. S. Anthony, R. M. Blair, J. D. Wagner, and T. B. Clarkson
Effects of Soy Isoflavones and Conjugated Equine Estrogens on Inflammatory Markers in Atherosclerotic, Ovariectomized Monkeys
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., March 1, 2005; 90(3): 1734 - 1740.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
P. Norman, C. A. Spencer, M. M. Lawrence-Brown, and K. Jamrozik
C-Reactive Protein Levels and the Expansion of Screen-Detected Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms in Men
Circulation, August 17, 2004; 110(7): 862 - 866.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
G. Engstrom, G. Borner, B. Lindblad, L. Janzon, and F. Lindgarde
Incidence of Fatal or Repaired Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in Relation to Inflammation-Sensitive Plasma Proteins
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, February 1, 2004; 24(2): 337 - 341.
[Abstract] [Full Text]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
E. Lutgens, R.-J. van Suylen, B. C. Faber, M. J. Gijbels, P. M. Eurlings, A.-P. Bijnens, K. B. Cleutjens, S. Heeneman, and M. J.A.P. Daemen
Atherosclerotic Plaque Rupture: Local or Systemic Process?
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, December 1, 2003; 23(12): 2123 - 2130.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
W. J. Jabs, E. Theissing, M. Nitschke, J.F. M. Bechtel, M. Duchrow, S. Mohamed, B. Jahrbeck, H.-H. Sievers, J. Steinhoff, and C. Bartels
Local Generation of C-Reactive Protein in Diseased Coronary Artery Venous Bypass Grafts and Normal Vascular Tissue
Circulation, September 23, 2003; 108(12): 1428 - 1431.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]