Prognostic Value of C-reactive Protein in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients: A Review

Acute ischemic stroke is increasingly recognized as a condition deeply influenced by inflammatory pro- cesses that modulate neuronal injury and recovery. C-reactive protein (CRP), a liver-derived acute-phase protein, has attracted interest as a biomarker for predicting neurological deficits and long-term disability in these patients. This review critically examines the empirical evidence connecting elevated CRP levels with stroke severity, subsequent neurological impairment, and functional outcomes, noting both support- ive findings and inconsistencies across studies. Mechanistic perspectives are addressed, including the possibility that CRP reflects or contributes to underlying inflammatory cascades exacerbating cerebral damage. Clinical implications of integrating CRP into risk stratification and management protocols are discussed, alongside a careful consideration of unresolved challenges such as methodological heterogene- ity, confounding influences, and uncertainties regarding optimal cut-off values and timing of assessment, highlighting directions for future research.