BACKGROUND: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and its N-terminal fragment (NT-proBNP) are elevated in patients with acute coronary syndromes and are closely linked to prognosis. Because there is only a small amount of data available concerning NT-proBNP in patients with stable angina pectoris, we aimed to determine whether NT-proBNP is of additional diagnostic value in these patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: Ninety-four patients with stable angina pectoris were prospectively included. All patients underwent exercise testing and coronary angiography, and 91 patients received thallium-201 single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial scintigraphy. NT-proBNP was analyzed at rest and after exercise testing. NT-proBNP was elevated in patients with inducible myocardial ischemia shown by single-photon emission computed tomography (396 +/- 80 pg/mL vs 160 +/- 101 pg/mL; P <.01) closely linked to the extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) (no CAD, 148 +/- 29 pg/mL; 1- or 2-vessel disease, 269 +/- 50 pg/mL; 3-vessel disease 624 +/- 186 pg/mL; P <.01). In a multivariate analysis, NT-proBNP was an independent predictor for CAD. The area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.72 for NT-proBNP to predict CAD. Using an optimized cut off level of 214 pg/mL, CAD can be predicted with high accuracy. The total test efficiency of exercise testing can be improved from 1.46 to 1.52 when combined with NT-proBNP measurement. CONCLUSION: NT-proBNP is elevated in patients with stable angina pectoris and has a close correlation to disease severity. Combining the measurement of NT-proBNP with exercise testing, the test accuracy for predicting severe CAD can be improved. Our data show an incremental value of NT-proBNP in the diagnostic process of stable angina pectoris.
BACKGROUND:B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and its N-terminal fragment (NT-proBNP) are elevated in patients with acute coronary syndromes and are closely linked to prognosis. Because there is only a small amount of data available concerning NT-proBNP in patients with stable angina pectoris, we aimed to determine whether NT-proBNP is of additional diagnostic value in these patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: Ninety-four patients with stable angina pectoris were prospectively included. All patients underwent exercise testing and coronary angiography, and 91 patients received thallium-201 single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial scintigraphy. NT-proBNP was analyzed at rest and after exercise testing. NT-proBNP was elevated in patients with inducible myocardial ischemia shown by single-photon emission computed tomography (396 +/- 80 pg/mL vs 160 +/- 101 pg/mL; P <.01) closely linked to the extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) (no CAD, 148 +/- 29 pg/mL; 1- or 2-vessel disease, 269 +/- 50 pg/mL; 3-vessel disease 624 +/- 186 pg/mL; P <.01). In a multivariate analysis, NT-proBNP was an independent predictor for CAD. The area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.72 for NT-proBNP to predict CAD. Using an optimized cut off level of 214 pg/mL, CAD can be predicted with high accuracy. The total test efficiency of exercise testing can be improved from 1.46 to 1.52 when combined with NT-proBNP measurement. CONCLUSION: NT-proBNP is elevated in patients with stable angina pectoris and has a close correlation to disease severity. Combining the measurement of NT-proBNP with exercise testing, the test accuracy for predicting severe CAD can be improved. Our data show an incremental value of NT-proBNP in the diagnostic process of stable angina pectoris.
Authors: K Kurz; R Voelker; D Zdunek; R Wergeland; G Hess; B Ivandic; H Katus; E Giannitsis Journal: Clin Res Cardiol Date: 2006-12-22 Impact factor: 5.460
Authors: K Chatha; M Alsoud; M J Griffiths; A Elfatih; K Abozguia; R C Horton; S J Dunmore; R Gama Journal: J Clin Pathol Date: 2006-11 Impact factor: 3.411