The relationship between c-reactive protein and cardiovascular events in patients with obstructive and nonobstructive coronary artery disease

Background and Objectives: Patients with nonobstructive coronary artery disease (NOCAD) have an increased risk of cardiovascular events (CVEs) compared to that in individuals with normal or near-normal coronary arteries (NNCAs) and even a similar risk to that in individuals with obstructive coronary artery disease (OCAD). However, the predictors for a worse outcome in patients with NOCAD are not fully determined. This study aimed to investigate the association of high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and CVEs in patients with NOCAD. Materials and Methods: In total, 4662 patients with coronary artery angiography were enrolled and followed up for CVE. Patients were classified as having NNCA ( 3 mg/L). Proportional hazards models were used to assess the risk of CVEs. Results: Over an average 13403 person-year follow-up, 338 patients experienced CVEs. Patients with NOCAD and OCAD had a higher rate of CVE than those with NNCA (P