Relationship between serum C-reactive protein level and carotid atherosclerosis in patients with essential hypertension

Objective:To investigate the relationship between serum C-reactive protein(CRP) level and carotid atherosclerosis in patients with essential hypertension.Methods: The serum concentrations of C-reactive protein(CRP) were measured in one hundred and eighty patients with essential hypertension.A Color Doppler Ultrasound system was used to investigate the intimal-medial thickness(IMT) of common carotid artery(CCA) and the plaque index of carotid artery.Results: ①The serum concentrations of CRP in the carotid atherosclerosis group were signicantly higher than those of CRP in the carotid artery normal group(P0.01).②The serum concentrations of CRP in the carotid artery plaque group were signicantly higher than those of CRP in the normal carotid artery group(P 0.01).③ The serum concentrations of CRP in the carotid artery plaque index class 2,3 groups were signicantly higher than those of CRP in noplaque group(P 0.01).Conclusion: Serum C-reactive protein level is closely associated with carotid atherosclerosis in patients with essential hypertension.Inflammatory response may play an important role in the pathogenesis of carotid atherosclerosis with essential hypertension.