Objectives:
To evaluate the association between N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) values and the severity of coronary lesions at angiography in unstable angina patients with preserved left ventricular function.
Methods:
A total of 133 patients with primary diagnosis of unstable angina were enrolled into this study. NT‐proBNP level was determined before the angiography and Gensini score, a measurement of extent of myocardial ischemia, was calculated after the angiography by experienced cardiologists. Patients with >50% stenosis of the left main or 75% stenosis of one or more coronary branches with diameter >2 mm were defined as “angiography positive” and turned to percutaneous coronary intervention.
Results:
There was a significant difference of circulating NT‐proBNP level between the angiography positive and negative groups and the median NT‐proBNP values were 367.5 pg/mL and 112 pg/mL, respectively (P < 0.001). A significant correlation was observed between log NT‐proBNP and log Gensini score (P < 0.001). NT‐proBNP level was a predictor of angiography positive result and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.776 (95% CI 0.693–0.858).
Conclusions:
NT‐proBNP level was found to be higher with the severity of myocardial ischemia. However, the ability of NT‐proBNP to identify clinically significant angiographic lesions was moderate. (J Interven Cardiol 2012;25:126–131)