Abstract:
BACKGROUND: There is controversy whether NT-proBNP is able to identify stress-induced myocardial ischemia or correlate with ischemic area. OBJECTIVE: To determine correlation between the difference of resting and post stress NT-proBNP (ΔNT-proBNP) and area of nuclear perfusion defect whether it can predict ischemic area and evaluate prognosis of chronic ischemic heart disease patient. METHOD: Plasma NT-pro BNP level was measured before and immediately after 99mTc-sestamibi myocardial perfusion scintigraphy in 100 consecutive patients for suspected ischemic heart disease. Bulls eye imaging was used to calculate area of perfusion defect. RESULTS: Plasma NT-pro BNP at rest were significantly higher in patients who had myocardial perfusion defects (2,291.80 (5.8/35,304.0) pg/mL vs 159.82 (16.3/590.9) pg/mL, p<0.001). The NT-proBNP levels at rest changed significantly only after exercise stress testing (p=0.013). The correlation between ΔNT-proBNP and reversible perfusion defect was poor and no statistical significant (r = -0.189, p = 0.120) CONCLUSION: ΔNT-proBNP does not correlate well with stress induced myocardial ischemia. The elevation of resting NT-proBNP in patients who suspected ischemic heart disease may represent the tendency to diagnose IHD.