title: B-type natriuretic peptide as a marker of asymptomatic re-stenosis after coronary implantation of a paclitaxel-eluting stent.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the present study was the detection of asymptomatic coronary re-stenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 26 subjects who had been recently implanted with a paclitaxel-eluting coronary stent by both a conventional exercise test and the determination of plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At control coronary angiography, nine months after initial PCI, six patients had re-stenosis and 20 were re-stenosis free. We found that re-stenosis was best predicted by the combination of a basal plasma BNP level > or = 50 pg/ml and a positive or uncertain conventional exercise test (positive likelihood ratio of the combination = 10). The best predictor of absence of re-stenosis was a low (< 50 pg/ml) plasma BNP level (negative likelihood ratio = 0.26).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Accordingly, basal BNP level testing can be recommended in the follow-up evaluation of coronary patients after PCI, to improve both the detection and the exclusion of asymptomatic re-stenosis.
authors.affiliation: Unità Operativa di Cardiologia II, Ospedale Vincenzo Cervello, Via Trabucco 180, Palermo, Italy. relomauro@virgilio.it
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lo Mauro
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Arcoleo
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lo Giudice
authors.forename: Antonina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Picone
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schirosa
authors.forename: Giacinto
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Raspanti
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cillari
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Enia
mesh_terms: D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D023903:Coronary Restenosis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D054855:Drug-Eluting Stents; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D017239:Paclitaxel