Levels of cytokines and C-reactive protein as treatment effectiveness criteria in patients with coronary heart disease and chronic heart failure

Abstract

Aim. To study clinical and diagnostic value of chronic inflammation markers in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), receiving standard therapy (ST) including ACE inhibitors, or ST including ACE I inhibitors combined with aspirin (ST + aspirin).Material and methods. The study included 120 CHF patients aged 45-74 years. Clinical examination and measurement of serum cytokine levels (solid-phase immuno-enzyme analysis) and plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) level (photometric turbidimetry method) were performed.Results. In Functional Class (FC) II-III CHF patients, ST was associated with clinical improvement and decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and CRP. ST + aspirin therapy was not associated with the decrease in cytokine and CRP levels; moreover, these levels were increased in some FC II-III CHF individuals.Conclusion. The results obtained could be used as additional criteria for CHF clinical course assessment and therapy effectiveness control.

Keywords

• хроническая сердечная недостаточность
• ингибиторы ангиотензин-превращающего фермента
• аспирин
• цитокины