B-type natriuretic peptide in reversible myocardial ischaemia.
BACKGROUND
Coronary heart disease is associated with increased B-type natriuretic peptides (BNPs), and, although controversial, may cause exaggerated exercise-induced BNP secretion. We investigated BNP in relation to reversible myocardial ischaemia.


METHODS
Serum N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) was measured before and after an exercise electrocardiogram test (ETT) in 14 patients with and 45 patients without exercise-induced myocardial ischaemia. Statistical analysis was carried out on logarithmically transformed data. Results, however, are pre-transformed data.


RESULTS
NT-proBNP increased with exercise both in ETT-positive patients (mean (SD) 71.4 (41.2) v 76.8 (44.0) ng/l; p<0.001) and ETT-negative patients (54.0 (61.2) v 60.1 (69.0) ng/l; p<0.001). Pre-exercise and post-exercise NT-proBNP were higher (p<0.05) in ETT-positive than in ETT-negative patients. Incremental NT-proBNP was similar in ETT-positive (4.7 (4.2) ng/l) and ETT-negative (6.2 (8.6) ng/l) patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum NT-proBNP concentrations are higher in patients with exercise-induced myocardial ischaemia than in those without. Exercise-induced electrocardiographic myocardial ischaemia, however, is not associated with exaggerated BNP secretion.
Chatha
K
K
Department of Clinical Chemistry, New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, UK.
Alsoud
M
M
Griffiths
M J
MJ
Elfatih
A
A
Abozguia
K
K
Horton
R C
RC
Dunmore
S J
SJ
Gama
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004562:Electrocardiography; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*
D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain