Relation between NT–proBNP and the extent of coronary artery disease in chronic heart failure patients

Rayna Tasheva; Katerina Vitlianova

Volume : IV, Issue : VII, July - 2015

Relation between NT–proBNP and the extent of coronary artery disease in chronic heart failure patients

Rayna Tasheva, Katerina Vitlianova

Abstract :

 Heart failure is accompanied by augmented plasma concentrations of BNP and NT–proBNP. In this study we investigated whether myocardial ischemia can be an additional mechanism for elevated NT–proBNP levels. Materials and methods: The study subjects consisted of 80 hospitalized patients who were allocated to a control group (N=21) or to a CHF group (N=59). All recruited subjects underwent coronary angiography (CAG) and plasma NT–proBNP levels were measured. Results: NT–proBNP levels in the CHF group were higher in patients with ischemic heart failure than in patients with CHF and no CAD (835, 46 ± 585, 45 vs. 349, 11 ± 354,08pg/ ml, P=0,004 respectively). Subgroup analysis in the CHF patients showed that NT–proBNP levels tended to be positively related to number of diseased vessels, but statistical significance was only found between the no–CAD and 3 vessel disease subgroup. Conclusion: NT–proBNP levels are closely related with the presence of CAD in patients with CHF.