| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006046 | Peptides | 2014 | 6 Pages |
•Investigate the association between NT-proBNP and reversible ischemia.•NT-proBNP level was a predictor of FFR ≤0.80.•In the FFR-measured population, the AUC was 0.787.
The association between the levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) diagnosed by coronary angiography and other approaches has been investigated. The clinical application of NT-proBNP is restricted by the drawbacks of these techniques now available in screening out patients who need intensive or conservative treatment. Fractional flow reserve (FFR) is superior to coronary angiography and other functional indicators. Accordingly, we designed to investigate the association between NT-proBNP and myocardial ischemia from the perspective of anatomy and physiology in patients with unstable angina and preserved left ventricular function. Plasma samples were collected from 110 patients and NT-proBNP levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. The severity of coronary artery stenosis in patients was measured by coronary angiography and FFR. Stenosis ≥50% in the left main artery or stenosis of 70%, and fractional flow reserve (FFR) ≤0.80 in one or more coronary branches with diameter ≥2 mm were defined as “positive”, which require revascularization. NT-proBNP levels increased progressively between patients with negative and positive angiographic results (p < 0.05), and between FFR-negative and FFR-positive patients (p < 0.05). A significant correlation was observed between log NT-proBNP and log GS (GS = Gensini score, p < 0.001). NT-proBNP level serves as a predictor of positive results of angiographic stenosis and FFR, with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve being 0.697 and 0.787, respectively. NT-proBNP levels are correlated with the severity of anatomic coronary obstruction and inducible myocardial ischemia, but NT-proBNP per se is insufficient to identify clinically significant angiographic and physiological stenoses.
