At 6 months after successful CTO-PCI a significant reduction, compared to baseline, was observed in the proportion of patients with angina (34.4 % vs. 3.1 %; p = 0.002) and in BNP levels (323 ± 657 pg/ml [IQR 60.4–238.2] vs. 123 ± 151 pg/ml [IQR 40.6–154.5]; p = 0.004) (Fig. 3). Here, NPPB is linked to angina pectoris.