New, Emerging and Controversial Risk Factors for Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease

C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is a marker of systemic inflammation that can increase 1,000-fold in response to major infection or trauma. Levels are remarkably stable over long periods of time when measured in asymptomatic adults. CRP appears in the serum before the erythrocyte sedimentation rate begins to rise, approximately 24-48 hours after the onset of inflammation (Lyon 2003). CRP may also be impacted by visceral adipose tissue. IL-6 is expressed in adipose tissue, released into systemic circulation, and leads to CRP production in the liver. Therefore, elevated CRP status in patients may be an integration of signals from the artery, adipose tissue, and possibly other inflamed tissues (Anty 2006)