The effect of coronary angioplasty on plasma NT‐proBNP level in patients with and without arterial hypertension

Abstract

Aims. The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) on plasma N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) level in hypertensive and normotensive subjects with and without systolic left ventricular dysfunction. Methods and results. Forty patients affected by ischemic heart disease and submitted to PTCA were studied. The patients were divided into four groups: group I – 10 patients with essential arterial hypertension (HT) and normal left ventricular ejection fraction (EF); group II – 10 patients with HT and EF <55%; group III – 10 patients without HT and with normal EF; group IV – 10 patients without HT and with EF <55%. Blood samples were collected twice: 24 h before and after PTCA. The plasma NT‐proBNP concentrations increased significantly in group I (368±103 pg/ml vs 488±182 pg/ml; p<0.05), in group III (257±107 pg/ml vs 447±198 pg/ml; p<0.05), and in group IV (419±99 pg/ml vs 826±432 pg/ml; p<0.05) 24 h after PTCA. There were significant differences in the relative change in plasma NT‐proBNP concentrations between groups I and II, and between groups III and IV. Conclusions. Successful coronary angioplasty results in a rise in plasma NT‐proBNP concentration. The increase is less expressive in patients with systolic left ventricular dysfunction. The presence of hypertension does not affect NT‐proBNP concentration after PTCA.

• BNP
• coronary angioplasty
• hypertension
• ischemic heart disease
• NT‐proBNP