CRP and hydrops fetalis: In a study of 4691 individuals without known myocardial infarction or stroke, high carotid IMT and C-reactive protein levels proved to be independent risk factors of future HF requiring hospitalization.23 In the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study of 13 590 participants without baseline HF, carotid IMT was identified as an independent risk factor for HF development beyond risks explained by major CV risk factors and coronary heart disease.24 These results suggest that carotid IMT and HF might be associated with mechanisms other than myocardial ischaemia or infarction.