N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide as a predictor of repeat coronary revascularization

Background Recent studies suggest that natriuretic peptides are potential biomarkers for myocardial ischemia. However, little is known about the value of NT-proBNP as a predictor of repeat revascularization (RR) at follow-up angiography in patients with normal LV systolic function. Methods We collected and analyzed the clinical and angiographic data from 445 consecutive patients (62.5 ± 10.1 years; 73% males) who showed normal LV systolic function and no regional wall motion abnormalities on transthoracic echocardiogram performed at baseline and follow-up angiography. Results Overall, NT-proBNP level on admission for follow-up angiography was significantly higher in patients with RR (n = 55) than those without RR (n = 390) [92.4 (47.5–178.5) pg/ml vs. 54.8 (30.6–93.1) pg/ml, P < 0.001]. In asymptomatic patients, NT-proBNP did not show significant difference between patients with RR and those without RR (P = 0.42). An elevated NT-proBNP level, especially in symptomatic patients (n = 77) (> 87.5 pg/ml as an optimal cut off value) was a strong independent predictor for RR at follow-up angiography (OR, 12.3; 95% CI, 3.25–46.2; P = 0.001). NT-proBNP (> 122.9 pg/ml) showed high specificity (85.9%) and negative predictive value (91.0%) for predicting RR in overall patients. However, NT-proBNP (> 97.0 pg/ml) showed low sensitivity (49.1%) and positive predictive value (23.5%). The areas under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve in predicting RR in overall patients and symptomatic patients were 0.648 (95% CI; 0.564–0.732, P < 0.001) and 0.768 (95% CI; 0.653–0.884, P < 0.001), respectively. Conclusion Our data show that NT-proBNP level at follow-up is a strong independent predictor for RR especially in symptomatic patients. Although routine measurement may be not useful for predict RR, NT-proBNP may help to identify patients with low risk of repeat revascularization.