Predictive value of serum Hs-CRP levels for outcomes of pulmonary embolism

Background: The diagnostic utility of novel biomarkers in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) is still under investigation. While many studies emphasize that high serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) has a moderate relation with PE, few studies show that Hs-CRP can be used to predict the outcome of the treatment.

Aims: In this study, we aimed to determine whether there is a relationship between serum levels of Hs-CRP and reperfusion of pulmonary tissue. As a secondary objective, the correlation between Hs-CRP and subgroups of PE was investigated.

Methods: A total of 85 patients with PE, 38 male (44.7%) and 47 female (55.3%) with an average age of 65.5 ± 13.4, were included in this prospective observational study. Samples of blood were collected before and 48 h after the inception of fibrinolytic therapy.

Result: The correlation of changes in serum Hs-CRP levels with reperfusion duration was statistically significant (r = 0.548, P = 0.01). Second, we found that some subgroups of PE (massive PE: r = 0.719, P = 0.001, and minor PE: r = 0.529, P = 0.001) had a relation with changes in serum Hs-CRP levels, whereas some had none (submassive PE: r = 0.136, P = 0.215).

Conclusion: Changes in serum Hs-CRP levels can be a potential predictor of the outcomes for patients with PE. Additionally, this value of change can notify the presence of some subgroups of PE (massive and minor PE).