C-reactive protein and efficacy of antiplatelet therapy in (intracranial) atherosclerosis

C-reactive protein (CRP) and other inflammatory biomarkers can indicate both the severity and extent of atherosclerosis, reflecting the inflammatory nature of the disease process.(1) Atherogenesis begins with an inflammatory response to vascular injury with cells and mediators initiating the healing response and later inducing growth of atherosclerotic plaques. Inflammation then increases plaque instability, promoting rupture, fissuring, or erosionthe pathogenetic milieu of thrombosis in atherothrombotic ischemic strokes.