NT-Pro-BNP levels and their response to exercise in patients with slow coronary flow.

Background: Natriuretic peptides are released by the heart in response to wall stress.

Objective: The NT-Pro-BNP concentrations in slow coronary flow (SCF) patients were assessed before and after the exercise test and compared with the values of healthy controls.

Methods: The study population was 34 patients with SCF [22 males (64.

Diffuse intimal thickening of coronary arteries in slow coronary flow.

Intravascular ultrasound imaging can detect intimal thickening and is suitable for detection of early atherosclerosis, which cannot be detected by conventional angiography. The aim of the present study was to investigate the epicardial coronary morphology and intracoronary pressure in relation to slow coronary flow (SCF). The study population consisted of 19 patients with SCF [11 (57.