B-type natriuretic peptide and extent of lesion on coronary angiography in stable coronary artery disease

Objective Although it is well established that plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels are higher in patients with acute coronary syndromes, the relationship between plasma BNP level and stable coronary artery disease is not clear. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between plasma BNP levels and the extent of obstructive lesions on coronary angiography in stable coronary artery patients. Methods Plasma BNP concentrations were measured in 62 patients with a diagnosis of stable angina pectoris who had a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) >= 45% on echocardiographic evaluation. Coronary angiography was performed for all patients, who were than divided into two groups according to the results of the angiography. Group I consisted of the patients who had a lesion leading to an obstruction of the lumen in any coronary artery by less than 50% or those who had normal coronary arteries. All other patients constituted group II. Results In group I (n=26), the mean plasma BNP level was 64.8 +/- 29.5pg/ml. In group II (n=36), it was 99.7 +/- 55.4 pg/ml. BNP was significantly higher in group II (P=0.007) than group I. The BNP concentration of the patients with one-vessel disease (n = 12), two-vessel disease (n = 16), and three-vessel disease (n = 8) were 77.9 +/- 34.9 pg/ml, 109.3 +/- 67.9 pg/ml, 113.3 +/- 48.1 pg/ml consecutively. In this respect, the plasma BNP was significantly higher in the groups with more extended vessel disease (P=0.02). When we compared the patients according to involvement of left anterior descending artery (LAD), BNP levels were significantly higher in this group, (116.1 +/- 55.8 pg/ml versus 64.1 +/- 30.2 pg/ml; P=0.001). Conclusion Plasma levels of BNP were higher in patients who have stable coronary artery disease with preserved left ventricular systolic function. The level of increase in plasma BNP concentration was positively correlated with the extent of lesion and LAD involvement on coronary angiography. (c) 2005 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.