Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between high-sensitivity C reactive protein （hs-CRP） and oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) in patents with cardiovascular disease. MethodsExercise tests, following a symptom-limited standard Bruce protocol with simultaneous respiratory gas-exchange measurements, were performed on a treadmill in 17 post-PCI patients, 21 stable angina pectoris and 24 patients with essential hypertension (EH). The oxygen uptake (V_O2), minute ventilation (VE) were determined. The OUES was derived from the relation between V_O2 (ml/min) and VE (L/min) during incremental exercise and was determined by V_O2=a×lgVE+b, where a = OUES. The OUES was calculated from data of the first 75% (OUES75) and 100% (OUES100) of exercise duration. The serum hs-CRP was measured by immunoassays, and the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was measured with echocardiography. ResultsOUES75 （r=-0.506,P＜0.001）, OUES100 （r=-0.567,P＜0.001） and LVEF （r=-0.286,P＜0.01） were correlated with lg(hs-CRP). In stepwise multivariable linear regression models, lg(hs-CRP) （β=-0.374，P=0.006）, body height （β=-1.854，P=0.036）, body weight （β=-5.033，P=0.034）were independent risk factors of lower OUES75. lg(hs-CRP) （β=-0.396，P=0.003）, body height （β=-2.157，P=0.013）, body weight （β=-5.912，P=0.011） were independent risk factors of lower OUES100. ConclusionThe serum leveles of hs-CRP may be the useful marker that reflecting cardiopulmonary functional reserve and left ventricular function.

Key words: coronary artery disease, essential hypertension, stable angina pectoris, high-sensitivity C reactive protein, oxygen uptake efficiency slope, exercise tests