hs-CRP
Pronunciation: aych-ess-see-arr-pee
Also written as: hs-CRP — high-sensitivity C-reactive protein
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein, an inflammatory marker used for cardiovascular risk assessment.
Full Definition
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a highly sensitive assay that measures low levels of CRP, an acute-phase reactant produced by the liver in response to inflammation. In cardiovascular prevention, hs-CRP serves as a marker of systemic inflammation and vascular disease risk. Levels below 1 mg/L indicate low cardiovascular risk, 1-3 mg/L intermediate risk, and above 3 mg/L high risk. The JUPITER trial demonstrated that patients with elevated hs-CRP benefit from statin therapy even with normal cholesterol levels. However, hs-CRP should be interpreted carefully as it can be elevated due to acute illness, infection, or other inflammatory conditions.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from standard CRP, which is less sensitive and used primarily for acute inflammation detection.
In Context
- "The patient's hs-CRP of 4.2 mg/L indicated high cardiovascular risk despite optimal LDL levels." — Laboratory interpretation
- "Serial hs-CRP measurements showed sustained elevation, supporting the decision for statin therapy." — Inflammatory risk assessment