OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the length of time required for atherosclerotic plaque stabilization in acute coronary syndromes (ACS), using inflammatory markers. METHODS: In this prospective study, C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, factor VIIIc, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels were measured on admission, at discharge, and three and six months post-discharge in 40 patients with non-ST-segment elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS) and 40 healthy subjects. RESULTS: C-reactive protein levels were significantly higher on admission and at discharge, but not at three and six months post-discharge, compared with the control group. Fibrinogen levels remained unchanged, except at six months, when they were significantly lower than in the control group. Factor VIII-c did not differ from that of the control group on admission, but it was significantly higher at discharge, with no differences at three and six months. Interleukin-6 levels were significantly higher than in the control group in all time points. However, they declined significantly between discharge and three months. In no time point was TNF-alpha significantly different from that of the control group. Only IL-6 correlated significantly and independently with future cardiovascular events. CONCLUSION: With respect to CRP and factor VIIIc, plaque stabilization is suggested in up to three months; IL-6 analysis suggests stabilization as from the third month, although it remained higher than that of the control group for up to six months. Only IL-6 showed prognostic value for further events within a year.
Inflammatory markers; stable angina; non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction
