N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide used for the prediction of coronary artery stenosis

Eur J Clin Invest. 2007 Jan;37(1):18-25. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2362.2007.01731.x.

Abstract

Background: The level of the inactive N-terminal fragment of pro-brain (B-type) natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a prognostic marker in patients with acute and chronic coronary artery disease (CAD). It might also be valuable for non-invasive diagnosis of coronary artery disease.

Materials and methods: The NT-proBNP was measured in 781 consecutive patients with normal left ventricular function referred for coronary angiography owing to symptoms or signs of CAD. The diagnostic value of NT-proBNP was assessed for predicting CAD at angiography.

Results: Elevated NT-proBNP levels were associated with the extent of CAD and with the female sex (P < 0.001). The ability of NT-proBNP to predict significant coronary disease at angiography was assessed separately for men using a cut-off point of 85 pg mL(-1), positive likelihood ratio 2.2 (95% CI, 1.7-3.0), negative likelihood ratio 0.53 (95% CI 0.45-0.63) and area under the receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) curve 0.72: for women, it was assessed using a cut-off point of 165 pg mL(-1), positive likelihood ratio 2.4 (95% CI, 1.7-3.4), negative likelihood ratio 0.55 (95% CI, 0.44-0.70) and area under ROC curve 0.71. In multiple logistic-regression analysis, NT-proBNP added significant independent predictive power to other clinical variables in models predicting CAD (odds ratio 2.76, 95% CI, 1.76-4.32, P < 0.001).

Conclusions: The NT-proBNP is a marker of non-obstructive CAD and of significant coronary stenosis. In conjunction with other clinical information, measurement of NT-proBNP with the use of sex-specific reference ranges may improve the non-invasive prediction of CAD.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Coronary Angiography / methods
  • Coronary Stenosis / diagnosis*
  • Exercise Test / standards
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / blood*
  • Peptide Fragments / blood*
  • Predictive Value of Tests

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Peptide Fragments
  • pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76)
  • Natriuretic Peptide, Brain