OBJECTIVE: To determine high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels of patients admitted for myocardial infarction (MI) and determine its association with existing traditional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and future cardiovascular events.

METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study involving two centers, the Makati Medical Center and the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH). A total of 49 acute Ml patients who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. Levels of hs-CRP were taken within 6 hours of admission. Demographic data, in-patient outcomes and 30-day clinical outcomes were observed. A univariate analysis with Fisher's Exact Test was done to determine if there was an association between hs-CRP levels and traditional CV risk factors, and clinical outcomes.

RESULTS: There was a significantly higher difference in the primary composite endpoint of all-cause mortality, Ml, unstable angina and revascularization among patients with hs-CRP> 10 mg/dL(CI: 95%, p=0.045)

CONCLUSION: The study shows that elevated levels of hs-CRP can be utilized for cardiovascular risk stratification and prognostication among patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Young Adult ; Adolescent ; Child ; Infant ; Infant Newborn ; C-reactive Protein ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Philippines ; Angina, Unstable ; Myocardial Infarction ; Cardiovascular System

Methodology: This observational study covered the period July 2005 ???? July 2006. We included patients 18 years old and above who underwent thoracentesis for a pleural effusion documented by an upright chest radiograph. The primary outcome was the occurrence of pneumothorax after thoracentesis. Data on potential patient-related and procedure-related risk factors for pneumothorax were also collected. Results: Fifty-seven patients with pleural effusion were included and they underwent a total of 62 thoracenteses. There were 3 incidents of pneumothorax, with a rate of 4.8% (Binomial exact 95% CI 1.0 - 13.5%). No associations can be made between patient-related and procedure-related risk factors and the occurrence of pneumothorax after thoracentesis because of the very small number of episodes of pneumothorax in this study. Conclusion: Thoracentesis is a low-risk procedure performed in a patient with pleural effusion, either for diagnostic or therapeutic indications or both.

Pneumothorax ; Thoracentesis ; Pleural Effusion