Direct Comparison of Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) and N-Terminal Pro-BNP Secretion and Extent of Coronary Artery Stenosis in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease

251 consecutive patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing angiographic examination, mean age 65.6, 216 male / 35 female, in Japan. Key inclusion: >50% stenosis in 1 vessel, history of revascularization within 1 year, exercise-induced ischemia, or clinical diagnosis of CAD. Key exclusion: acute myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, congenital heart disease, primary pulmonary hypertension, lung disease, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, coronary artery bypass grafting, renal dysfunction (serum creatinine >2.0 mg/dl), or moderate to severe CHF (NYHA class III or IV).

Measurement of transcardiac increase (coronary sinus minus aortic root) of NT-proBNP and BNP

Patients without significant coronary artery stenosis vs 1-vessel disease vs >2-vessel disease

Relationship between transcardiac increase of NT-proBNP and BNP and the severity of coronary artery stenosis (assessed by number of involved vessels and Gensini score)surrogate