N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide but not high- sensitivity C-reactive protein is related to severity of coronary artery stenosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Objective Biochemical indicators such as N-terminal pro-brain type natriuretic peptide (NT pro-BNP) and high-sensitivity Creactive protein (hsCRP) predict mortality in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, little is known about the relationship of these factors with severity of coronary artery stenosis in patients with. Methods Three hundred and thirty-one subjects including 246 unstable angina pectoris patients and 85 myocardial infarction patients were recruited and classified into two groups: single-vessel disease group (1-vessel disease, n= 93) and multiple-vessel disease group (≥ 2vessels disease, n=238) according to selective coronary angiography. Plasma levels of NT pro-BNP and hsCRP were measured and severity of coronary stenosis was determined by Gensini score. Results NT pro-BNP but not hsCRP level was higher in patients with myocardial infarction than in patients with unstable angina pectoris. The patients with multiple-vessel disease had significantly higher NT pro-BNP level but not hsCRP compared with those with single-vessel disease. NT pro-BNP levels increased significantly as left ventricle (LV) function decreased, and only NT proBNP but not hsCRP level was related to Gensini score of severity of coronary stenosis in ACS. Conclusion NT pro-BNP but not hsCRP level is related to severity of coronary artery stenosis in patients in ACS (J Geriatr Cardiol 2010; 7:101-105).