Coronary artery disease (CAD), the leading cause of mortality
worldwide, places a serious economic burden on health care systems.
CAD is mainly due to atherosclerosis, an inflammatory process that is
based on the interaction between immune mechanisms and metabolic risk
factors. Abnormal lipid levels, particularly elevated low-density
lipoprotein (LDL-C) and decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), as
well as higher level of inflammatory markers especially high sensitive
CRP (hsCRP) are well-established risk factors for atherosclerosis and
CAD. (Tsao et al 2013).
Major advances in CAD prevention require early detection of the
vulnerable plaques. A noninvasive assay to detect coronary
atherosclerosis directly would therefore be beneficial. MSCT coronary
angiography provides comprehensive information noninvasively
regarding the location, severity, and characteristics of coronary
atherosclerotic plaques. (Chu et al 2010).
Our study included 265 patients who presented with recurrent
exertional chest pain (symptoms suggestive of CAD) and referred for
MSCT angiography at kobry elkoba hospital.
The aim of our work was to study the relation between lipid profile
and different inflammatory markers (hsCRP, NLR) with coronary
plaque characteristics as assessed by multi slice coronary CT
angiography.