Reza Rahmani, Akbar Shafiee, Kambiz Parazaran, Najmeh Reshadati,
Volume 33, Issue 1 (2-2019)
Abstract
Background: N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-ProBNP) increases during myocardial ischemia and has a potential for the diagnosis of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to determine the incremental diagnostic value of NT-ProBNP in the selection of patients with positive myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) for coronary angiography. We also tested the association between the level of NT-ProBNP and severity of CAD based on the vessel score and Gensini score.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, stable angina patients with positive MPI who were assessed by coronary angiography in Imam Khomeini Hospitalwere enrolled. After the collection of demographic and clinical data, NT-ProBNP was measured in all patients on the day of coronary angiography, and its association with the presence of CAD, vessel score and Gensini score was tested.
Results: We enrolled 170 patients (mean age61.2±10.1 years, 86 males (50.6%)). Seventy-two (42.3%) patients had at least one stenotic vessel. NT-Pro BNP was significantly higher in the CAD-positive group (OR=1.01, 95% CI: 1.00-1.02; p=0.008) and could independently predict the presence of CAD at a cut-off point of 69.5, with a sensitivity of 55.6%, specificity of 82.5% and diagnostic accuracy of 61.7%. The Gensini score had a modest correlation with NT-Pro BNP (r=0.60, p<0.001). The combination of MPI result and NT-Pro BNP could predict the presence of CAD (OR=14.57, 95% CI: 4.28, 49.56; p<0.001).
Conclusion: Serum level of NT-Pro BNP alone and its combination with the results of MPI can significantly predict the presence of CAD and therefore, highlights the need for performing coronary angiography.
