Changes of plasma NT-proBNP levels and their clinical significance in coronary heart disease patients 6 months after percutaneous coronary intervention

AIM: To observe the changes of plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients before and 6 months after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and to explore their clinical significance and prognostic value. METHODS: Seventy one patients with coronary heart disease confirmed by coronary angiography (CAG) were divided into PCI group (51 cases) and control group (20 cases). Dynamic plasma NT-proBNP concentrations were observed by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay and changes of plasma NT-proBNP concentrations in PCI group were evaluated preoperatively, immediately postoperatively and 6 h, 24 h and 6 months later. We compared the difference of plasma NT-proBNP concentrations between PCI group and control group. Both groups underwent echocardiography during hospitalization and 6 months later, respectively, to examine the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and end-systolic diameter (LVESD), interventricular septal wall thickness (IVSW), left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPW), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF%), left ventricular fraction shortening (FS%) and E/A ratio for the evaluation of cardiac function. RESULTS: Plasma Log NT-proBNP concentrations 6 months after were significantly lower than the preoperative levels in PCI group ［(2.0±0.5) ng/L vs. (2.4±0.5) ng/L］(P<0.05). Plasma Log NT-proBNP plasma concentrations in control group 6 months after were significantly higher than those in PCI group ［(2.5±0.6)ng/L vs. (2.0±0.5)ng/L］(P<0.05). Comparison of echocardiographic indicators showed that LVEF% 6 months after was significantly lower than in preoperative PCI group ［(64±10)% vs.(62±10)%］ (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Plasma NT-proBNP levels are significantly lower in coronary heart disease patients 6 months after PCI, indicating that revascularization is more effective than drug therapy.