Discussing the Emerging Role of hs-CRP in Clinical Practice-Discussing the Emerging Role of hs-CRP in Clinical Practice

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The ACC webinar discusses the role of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (HSCRP) in cardiovascular care, highlighting its importance in both primary and secondary prevention. Dr. Paul Ritker and Dr. Pyle Coley share insights about HSCRP as a biomarker for silent vascular inflammation, and its potential for predicting cardiovascular events, sometimes even more accurately than LDL cholesterol. They advocate for universal screening of HSCRP alongside LDL cholesterol and lipoprotein A for comprehensive risk assessment and personalized treatment. The discussion emphasizes that the presence of residual inflammatory risk, even when LDL levels are optimal, necessitates new strategies for intervention. Colchicine is currently FDA-approved to lower inflammation, but ongoing trials are exploring other anti-inflammatory agents like IL-6 inhibitors. The experts stress that lifestyle changes should be the first approach, with pharmacological interventions considered for persistent inflammation. The webinar concludes by stressing the need for healthcare providers to measure HSCRP routinely to address inflammation effectively in clinical practice, analogous to the standard practice of measuring LDL cholesterol and blood pressure.

Keywords

HSCRP

cardiovascular care

biomarker

inflammation

colchicine

IL-6 inhibitors

risk assessment

personalized treatment