Elevated levels of serum sialic acid and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein: markers of systemic inflammation in patients with chronic heart failure

摘要

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a debilitating disorder in which a patient exhibits symptoms such as breathlessness, fatigue and signs of fluid retention with high morbidity and mortality, inflicting a significant economic burden on the healthcare system. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the major causes found in most cases of CHF, while other causes such as hypertension, valvular heart disease and cardiomyopathy also attribute to CHF. Inflammatory mechanisms have been shown to cause myocardial damage, while inflammatory agents contribute to the progression of CHF. Various inflammatory markers such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and cytokines have been studied in relation to cardiovascular diseases, including HF, where inflammation-induced damage is seen.