Moreover, we found elevated levels of NT–pro–BNP in all subjects with ischemic disease, although higher levels of NT–pro–BNP were detected in patients with chronic coronary artery disease in comparison with patients with acute myocardial infarction, (coronary artery disease: 8101 ± 4524 pg/mL vs 171 ± 101 pg/mL acute myocardial infarction). This evidence concerns the gene NPPB and ischemic disease.