CRP Screening Does Not Improve Cardiovascular Risk Assessment

Researchers presented data at the the annual scientific sessions of the American Heart Association showing that screening high-sensitivity C-reactive protein was not useful in refining cardiovascular risk assessment beyond that provided by the classic risk factors.

The data — from a new secondary analysis of the ASCOT (the Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial) trial — throw into question the biomarker’s appropriate role in clinical practice. Our reporter Bruce Jancin was in Chicago and talked with Dr. Donald Lloyd-Jones, who was tasked with discussing the study’s findings at the meeting. Dr. Lloyd-Jones is a professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago.