P-3 Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction and hsCRP: A Correlation Study

Background: Studies have proven that chronic low grade inflammation measured by high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) promotes endothelial dysfunction causing reduction in energy and the nitric oxide supply. As to whether this results to diastolic dysfunction detected by echocardiography and which of the doppler indices is/are affected as the level of hsCRP increases is still unclear. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of patients admitted for executive/selective checkup at the Heart Institute, St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC) from January 2, 2006 to June 28, 2007 with serum hsCRP and 2D echocardiogram. Echocardiographic data acquisition was taken during normal heart rate. Results: A total of 113 satisfied the criteria for the inclusion in the study. Demographic features and different echocardiographic indices of LV systolic and diastolic function are similar between those with low (n = 45) vs high risk (n = 68) hsCRP. There is a significant difference between those with and without diastolic dysfunction in the isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) (n = 78; r = 0.297, p value 0.02 vs. n = 35; r = 0.0008, p value 0.99). Remarkably, there was a significant inverse correlation of the IVRT (r = 0.2130, p value 0.02) with the levels of hsCRP. Conclusion: There is a shortening of IVRT as the level of hsCRP increases among patients with diastolic dysfunction. Indirectly, in lieu of hsCRP is IVRT which may be used as the surrogate marker for endothelial dysfunction