C-Reactive Protein, High Sensitivity

C-Reactive Protein, High Sensitivity

Alternate Test Name

CRP, High Sensitivity

Cardio CRP

CRP Cardiac

hsCRP

Epic Mnemonic
Sunquest Mnemonic

LAB150
CRPH

Category

Chemistry

Methodology

Particle enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay

Test Performance Schedule

Sunday - Saturday

Result Availability

Within 24 hours – STAT upon request

Container

Gold top (SST), Red top (serum), or Green top (lithium heparin) tube
Alt: EDTA / RED

Volume

Pref. Vol.: 1.0 mL
Min. Vol.:0.5 mL

Collection Instructions

• Routine venipuncture

• Immediately after collection, gently invert tube 5-10 times

• Clot 30 minutes

• Promptly centrifuge

• If no gel barrier is present immediately transfer serum or plasma to a plastic tube and refrigerate

• Properly centrifuged gel barrier tube does not require transfer of serum or plasma to separate tube

Transportation Instructions

Refrigerated

Stability

• Room Temperature: 5 days
• Refrigerated: 5 days

Remarks

Medicare Medical Necessity Policy

CPT Codes

86141

Effective/Revised

03/23/2017

Sensitive CRP measurements have been used and discussed for early detection of infection in pediatrics and risk assessment of coronary heart disease.

Several studies came to the conclusion that the highly sensitive measurement of CRP could be used as a marker to predict the risk of coronary heart disease in apparently healthy persons and as an indicator of recurrent event prognosis. Increases in CRP values are non-specific and should not be interpreted without a complete clinical history.

The American Heart Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have made several recommendations concerning the use of high sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP) in cardiovascular risk assessment.

Testing for any risk assessment should not be performed while there is an indication of infection, systemic inflammation or trauma. Patients with persistently unexplained hsCRP levels above 10 mg/L should be evaluated for non-cardiovascular etiologies.

When using hsCRP to assess the risk of coronary heart disease, measurements should be made on metabolically stable patients and compared to previous values. Optimally, the average of hsCRP results repeated two weeks apart should be used for risk assessment. Screening the entire adult population for hsCRP is not recommended, and hsCRP is not a substitute for traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Acute coronary syndrome management should not depend solely on hsCRP measurements. Similarly, application of secondary prevention measures should be based on global risk assessment and not solely on hsCRP measurements. Serial measurements of hsCRP should not be used to monitor treatment.