C-Reactive Protein Predicts Death in Patients with Non-Ischemic Cardiomyopathy

C-reactive protein (CRP) has been associated with atherosclerotic complications, and we hypothesized that CRP levels might also predict death in non-ischemic patients with left ventricular dysfunction. Two hundred and three patients with non-ischemic left ventricular dysfunction undergoing cardiac catheterization were included and were followed for 2.4 ± 1.4 years to determine the incidence of fatal events. Death occurred in 15% of patients with low CRP (1st and 2nd tertiles) and 30% of patients with high CRP (3rd tertile). After adjustment for 11 covariates, high CRP (p = 0.037, hazard ratio = 2.0) significantly and independently predicted mortality. Even in the absence of coronary artery disease, patients with left ventricular dysfunction are at increased risk of mortality based on their baseline CRP concentrations.