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Increased QT dispersion in patients with vasospastic angina.

BACKGROUND: The risk factors for ventricular arrhythmias in patients with coronary vasospasm have not been identified. We evaluated QT dispersion in patients with vasospastic angina and its relation to susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias during myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. METHODS AND RESULTS: We assessed the corrected QT (QTc) dispersion before induction of coronary artery spasm by intracoronary injection of acetylcholine (baseline) and 30 minutes after administration of isosorbide dinitrate in 50 patients with vasospastic angina and 50 patients with atypical chest pain. The baseline QTc dispersion was significantly greater in patients with vasospastic angina than in patients with atypical chest pain (mean+/-SD: 69+/-24 versus 44+/-19 ms, 95% confidence interval of mean difference [CI]: 16 to 33 ms; P<0.001). QTc dispersion decreased significantly, to 48+/-15 ms (CI: 15 to 26 ms; P<0.001 versus baseline), after administration of isosorbide dinitrate in patients with vasospastic angina but did not change significantly in patients with atypical chest pain (mean+/-SD: 41+/-17 ms, CI: -3 to 9 ms). During the provocation test, 24 of 50 patients with vasospastic angina experienced ventricular arrhythmias. The baseline QTc dispersion was significantly greater in patients with than without ventricular arrhythmias (mean+/-SD: 77+/-23 versus 61+/-19 ms, CI: 4 to 26 ms; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with vasospastic angina exhibited an increased baseline QTc dispersion compared with patients with atypical chest pain, which suggests that inhomogeneity of repolarization and susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias are increased in patients with vasospastic angina, even when asymptomatic. The association between increased QTc dispersion and ventricular arrhythmias during the provocation test suggests that measurement of QT dispersion may help predict which patients with vasospastic angina are at high risk for ventricular arrhythmias during ischemia.

Acetylcholine↗

Intraaortic balloon counterpulsation: its influence alone and combined with various pharmacological agents on regional myocardial blood flow during experimental acute coronary occlusion.

We investigated the separate and combined effects of pharmacological and intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) support on regional myocardial blood flow in an experimental model of acute myocardial ischemia. Chloralose-anesthetized dogs were ventilated with an oxygen-air mixture, and cardiac output, arterial pressure, and heart rate were held constant. Treatment was begun 20 minutes following permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). We evaluated the following pharmacological interventions: 25% hypertonic mannitol, isosorbide dinitrate, methyl-prednisolone sodium succinate, and propranolol. We measured left ventricular hemodynamics and intramyocardial blood flow by the radioactive microsphere technique prior to treatment and at 15-minute intervals thereafter. Compared with control measurements 20 minutes following LAD ligation, collateral blood flow to ischemic myocardium tended to decrease with no treatment. Treatments with the four pharmacological interventions and with IABP alone produced no significant improvement in collateral blood flow to ischemic myocardium 15 minutes following treatment. In contrast, mannitol, isosorbide dinitrate, and propranolol, each combined with IABP support, produced significant improvements in collateral flow within the same time periods. In nonischemic myocardium, combined pharmacological and IABP treatment did not enhance myocardial blood flow above that obtained with the pharmacological agents alone. The most effective combination of mechanisms for improving the ischemic region's myocardial blood flow appeared to be a reduction of extravascular coronary flow resistance coupled with a simultaneous increase in diastolic arterial pressure.

Animals↗

Endothelial function and oxidative stress in renovascular hypertension.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that renovascular hypertension activates the renin-angiotensin system, leading to an increase in oxidative stress. We sought to determine whether renal-artery angioplasty improves endothelial dysfunction in patients with renovascular hypertension through a reduction in oxidative stress. METHODS: We evaluated the response of forearm blood flow to acetylcholine, an endothelium-dependent vasodilator, and isosorbide dinitrate, an endothelium-independent vasodilator, before and after renal-artery angioplasty in 15 subjects with renovascular hypertension and 15 controls without hypertension who were matched for age and sex. Forearm blood flow was measured with the use of a mercury-filled Silastic strain-gauge plethysmograph. RESULTS: The forearm blood flow in response to acetylcholine was less in subjects with renovascular hypertension than in controls, although the forearm blood flow in response to isosorbide dinitrate was similar in the two groups. Angioplasty decreased systolic and diastolic blood pressures, forearm vascular resistance, and urinary excretion of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and serum malondialdehyde-modified low-density lipoprotein (LDL), indexes of oxidative stress. After angioplasty, the mean (+/-SD) forearm blood flow in response to acetylcholine was increased in the patients with renovascular hypertension (19.3+/-6.8 vs. 29.6+/-7.1 ml per minute per 100 ml, P=0.002). The increase in the maximal forearm blood flow in response to acetylcholine correlated significantly with the decrease in urinary excretion of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (r=-0.51, P=0.004) and serum malondialdehyde-modified LDL (r=-0.39, P=0.02). Coinfusion of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) augmented the response of forearm blood flow to acetylcholine before angioplasty (P<0.001) but not after angioplasty. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that excessive oxidative stress is involved, at least in part, in impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in patients with renovascular hypertension.

8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine↗

Hemodynamic and myocardial effects of long-lasting venodilation in the conscious dog: analysis of molsidomine in comparison with nitrates.

The effect of molsidomine-induced venodilation on cardiac preload was studied in conscious resting dogs, instrumented to analyze left ventricular function and myocardial perfusion. Direct effects on veins were studied during chloralose anesthesia by measuring regional venous capacitance changes with an induction angiometer. Kinetics of molsidomine-induced effects were compared to those induced by nitroglycerin and isosorbide dinitrate. This comparison was restricted to low i.v. dosages, causing only transient threshold effects on peripheral resistance and heart rate. During molsidomine-induced venous pooling, neither any direct effect on the coronary circulation nor any direct cardiac depressant activity of the drug was detected. 100 microgram/kg molsidomine caused a reduction of left ventricular preload by 5 mm Hg, lasting at least 4 hours. This effect was significantly more pronounced than that induced by 1 microgram/kg nitroglycerin or by 25 microgram/kg isosorbide dinitrate, lasting 2 min or 20 min, respectively. However, in raising regional venous capacitance, these nitrate dosages were equi-effective to 100 microgram/kg molsidomine, the effect of which was persistent and with a greater delay in onset. These results indicate that the lasting persistance of venodilation is a decisive factor for the amount of volume pooled in the capacitance system and, consequently, for the extent of preload reduction obtained. It is concluded, that lasting vasodilation, restricted to the veins, is beneficial for ventricular performance in ischemic heart disease.

Animals↗

[Prolonged action nitrates in stable angina pectoris].

A randomized double blind comparison of transdermal nitroglycerin and isosorbide dinitrate tablets was conducted in 100 men with stable angina pectoris. Subjective and objective effects were virtually identical for both regimens (number of angina attacks/nitroglycerin consumption and exercise ECG test variables). The pattern of side effects was also similar for both drugs. A considerable dissociation was observed between subjective effects and effects measured by ergometer test in the individual patient. Lack of both subjective and objective effects--i.e. nitrate tolerance--was observed in approximately one fourth of the patients, and was not prevented by a twelve-hour dosing interval on isosorbide dinitrate nor a six hour transdermal nitroglycerin-free interval. Our data lends credence to the notion that the effects of long-acting nitrates in daily life and the effects measured during stress testing may involve different mechanisms.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

Left ventricular function changes during pharmacological and physiological interventions and routine activities monitored in healthy volunteers by a portable radionuclide probe (VEST).

A miniaturized radionuclide cardiac probe incorporated in a semi-rigid plastic chest garment has made ambulatory left ventricular (LV) function evaluation possible, with gated nuclear data being stored on tape together with electrocardiographic data, for subsequent off-line processing. After red blood cell labelling with 555 MBq (15 mCi) 99mTc and standard gated blood pool imaging in 45 degrees LAO, we performed a continuous monitoring of LV function in 20 healthy male volunteers (age range: 22-25 years), in resting control conditions as well as during activities (standing, walking, climbing stairs) and after interventions (isosorbide dinitrate intake, Trendelenburg position, inflation of cuffs around the thighs). VEST-monitoring proved to be a reliable method that gave reproducible results: changes of ejection (EF) in basal conditions were lower than 5% in 95% of the patients. Changes in LV function caused by daily activities were easily demonstrated. While standing effected no significant EF changes, walking and climbing increased EF by 6.9% (p less than 0.05) and 21.2% (p less than 0.05) respectively. Changes in LV volumes caused by alterations in venous return were also demonstrated. Compared with baseline, Trendelenburg increased end-diastolic volume (EDV) by 2.9% while isosorbide dinitrate and inflation of cuffs decreased it by 5.7% and 2.2% respectively.

Adult↗

Regular aerobic exercise augments endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation in normotensive as well as hypertensive subjects: role of endothelium-derived nitric oxide.

BACKGROUND: Several nonpharmacological interventions, including exercise, are recommended in primary prevention of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases in which the pathogenetic role of endothelial dysfunction has been suggested. We studied the effects of long-term aerobic exercise on endothelial function in patients with essential hypertension. METHODS AND RESULTS: The forearm blood flow was measured by strain-gauge plethysmography. The responses of forearm vasculature to acetylcholine were smaller in the hypertensive patients than in the normotensive subjects. There was no significant difference in forearm vascular responses to isosorbide dinitrate in the normotensive and hypertensive subjects. We evaluated the effects of physical exercise for 12 weeks on forearm hemodynamics in untreated patients with mild essential hypertension who were divided randomly into an exercise group (n=10) and a control group (n=7). After 12 weeks, the forearm blood flow response to acetylcholine increased significantly, from 25.8+/-9.8 to 32.3+/-11.2 mL. min(-1). 100 mL tissue(-1) (P<0.05), in the exercise group but not in the control group. The increase in the forearm blood flow after isosorbide dinitrate was similar before and after 12 weeks of follow-up in both groups. The infusion of N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine abolished the exercise-induced enhancement of forearm vasorelaxation evoked by acetylcholine in the exercising group. In normotensive subjects also, long-term aerobic exercise augmented acetylcholine-stimulated nitric oxide release. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that long-term physical exercise improves endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation through an increase in the release of nitric oxide in normotensive as well as hypertensive subjects.

Acetylcholine↗

Coronary artery response to cold-pressor test is impaired early after operation in heart transplant recipients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the coronary vasomotor response to the cold-pressor test within 3 months after heart transplantation. BACKGROUND: Normal epicardial coronary arteries dilate in response to sympathetic stimulation evoked by the cold-pressor test. In transplant recipients, abnormal coronary vasomotion has been described shortly after operation. METHODS: Fourteen heart transplant recipients were compared 52 +/- 15 days (mean +/- SD) after operation with 10 control subjects. All had angiographically normal epicardial coronary arteries. Coronary blood flow velocity was measured with a Doppler catheter placed in the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery. Four segments in each patient were analyzed by quantitative coronary angiography to assess the diameter changes during the cold-pressor test and after intracoronary injection of isosorbide dinitrate. RESULTS: Coronary flow velocity increased similarly during the cold-pressor test in control subjects and in transplant recipients, from 7.5 +/- 2.3 to 11.0 +/- 3.9 cm/s and from 10.3 +/- 3.2 to 13.7 +/- 4.8 cm/s (both p < 0.01). In control subjects, 39 of 40 segments analyzed dilated during the cold-pressor test. In transplant recipients, 48 of 56 segments analyzed did not change or constricted. The mean epicardial coronary diameter increased significantly during the cold-pressor test in control subjects (+13 +/- 6%, p < 0.001), whereas it did not change significantly in transplant recipients (-2 +/- 9%, p = NS). In transplant recipients, isosorbide dinitrate elicited coronary vasodilation similar to that in control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that in human transplanted denervated hearts, coronary vasodilation in response to sympathetic stimulation by cold exposure is impaired shortly after operation.

Adult↗

Importance of coronary collateral circulation for increased treadmill exercise capacity by nitrates in patients with stable effort angina pectoris.

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the mechanism that induces an improvement in exercise capacity by nitrates in patients with stable effort angina pectoris. The study population was composed of 19 patients: group A, 10 patients with chronic stable effort angina who had a well-developed coronary collateral circulation to the potentially ischemic region; group B, 9 patients with chronic stable effort angina who had no collateral circulation to the jeopardized myocardium. Treadmill exercise was performed according to the standard Bruce protocol with and without pretreatment with orally administered 10 mg isosorbide dinitrate. Percent increases (mean +/- SE) in exercise duration were not significantly different between groups A and B (25 +/- 6 vs. 14 +/- 6%). Percent increases in the maximal rate-pressure product tended to be greater in group A than in group B (27 +/- 6 vs. 10 +/- 6%). Percent increases in the rate-pressure product at the onset of angina pectoris were significantly greater in group A than in group B (37 +/- 7 vs. 7 +/- 6%; p less than 0.01). Percent increases in the rate-pressure product at 0.1 mV S-T segment depression were also significantly greater in group A than in group B (26 +/- 6 vs. 1 +/- 5%; p less than 0.01). These results suggest that isosorbide dinitrate dilates epicardial collateral vessels with smooth muscle layers, but fails to dilate the coronary arteries with significant organic stenoses.

Angina Pectoris↗

Digoxin-induced vasoconstriction of normal and atherosclerotic epicardial coronary arteries.

This study evaluated the effect of bolus infusion of digoxin (0.014 mg/kg in 10 minutes, intravenously) on large coronary arteries measured by quantitative digital angiography. Twenty-two patients (mean age +/- standard deviation 47 +/- 12 years) divided into 3 groups were studied. The effects of digoxin infusion (after 10 and 20 minutes) and sublingual administration of isosorbide dinitrate were investigated in group I (patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries, n = 9) and in group II (patients with atherosclerotic coronary arteries, n = 8). To determine whether the effects of digoxin were mediated by activation of alpha-adrenergic receptors, coronary angiography was performed in group III after alpha-adrenoceptor blockade (phentolamine 0.11 mg/kg, intravenously) (n = 5). Ten minutes after the end of digoxin infusion, the cross-sectional area decreased from 7.7 +/- 4.1 to 6.0 +/- 2.2 mm2, and after 20 minutes to 5.6 +/- 2.6 mm2 (p less than 0.05) in group I. Isosorbide dinitrate reverted digoxin-induced vasoconstriction as cross-sectional area increased to 8.5 +/- 3.4 mm2 (p = not significant versus baseline). Twenty minutes after digoxin infusion, heart rate significantly decreased from 79 +/- 16 to 74 +/- 13 beats/min (p less than 0.01). Ten minutes after digoxin infusion, peripheral vascular resistance increased significantly from 1,396 +/- 693 to 1,693 +/- 984 dynes.s.cm-5 (p less than 0.05), whereas cardiac output did not change. Twenty minutes after digoxin infusion, minimal stenosis diameter decreased significantly from 1.6 +/- 0.5 to 1.4 +/- 0.5 mm (p less than 0.05) in group II.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Angiography, Digital Subtraction↗

A comparison of four potential agents for reducing necrosis after prolonged coronary occlusion.

In anesthetized closed-chest dogs, four vasodilators were compared after prolonged coronary occlusion induced by catheter wedging in a coronary branch. With treatment given between 1 hour and 2 hours of occlusion, five groups were studied: no treatment, isosorbide dinitrate, nitroprusside, dipyridamole, and methylprednisolone. Measured were heart rate, cardiac pressures and blood flow (with 85Kr); and cardiac index, left ventricular ejection fraction with vascular resistance, left ventricular minute work index, and an oxygen consumption index were calculated. At sacrifice, ischemic inner/outer wall isotope distribution and myocardial K+, Na+, and H2O were determined. With no treatment, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and vascular resistances rose while cardiac index, ejection fraction, minute work index, and index of myocardial oxygen consumption fell, with no further change between 1 and 2 hours. Vasodilators did not affect coronary hemodynamics or isotope distribution. Hemodynamic effects of isosorbide dinitrate and nitroprusside differed qualitatively from dipyridamole and methylprednisolone. The latter drugs caused increases in ejection fraction, and dipyridamole also significantly increased cardiac index and minute work index. Only nitroprusside decreased minute work index and O2 consumption index. Only nitroprusside and dipyridamole, despite differing hemodynamics, tended to reduce K+ loss and Na+ and H2O gain in ischemic tissue. Further extended studies with these agents are warranted.

Animals↗

The effects of antianginal drugs on energy expenditure during exercise in normal subjects.

The respiratory quotient (RQ = VCO2/VO2) provides important information (ie, the ratio of carbohydrate to fat utilization) concerning energy expenditure. We studied the effects of various antianginal drugs on energy expenditure during steady-state aerobic exercise in 9 healthy adult men. The drugs used were propranolol (a non-selective beta-blocker), metoprolol (a beta-1 selective blocker), amosulalol (an alpha- and beta-blocker), nicardipine (a calcium antagonist) and isosorbide dinitrate. Each drug was administered for 2 weeks, followed by a 2-week washout period. VO2, VCO2 and RQ were measured with an expired gas analyzer during treadmill exercise tests before and during the administration of each drug. Two protocols of constant-load exercise were performed: Protocol 1 lasted for 10 min at a speed of 5.5 km/h and a grade of 0%, (at a level of about 30% peak VO2), while Protocol 2 lasted for 10 min at a speed of 7 km/h and a grade of 0%, (at a level of about 40% peak VO2). RQ during exercise was significantly increased and VO2 was decreased after propranolol, metoprolol and amosulalol (P < 0.05). Neither nicardipine nor isosorbide dinitrate produced significant changes in these values. These data suggest that propranolol, metoprolol and amosulalol increase the efficiency of energy expenditure during ordinary physical activity by increasing the utilization of carbohydrate and by decreasing the utilization of fat.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Use of simultaneous pressure and velocity measurements to estimate arterial wave speed at a single site in humans.

It has not been possible to measure wave speed in the human coronary artery, because the vessel is too short for the conventional two-point measurement technique used in the aorta. We present a new method derived from wave intensity analysis, which allows derivation of wave speed at a single point. We apply this method in the aorta and then use it to derive wave speed in the human coronary artery for the first time. We measured simultaneous pressure and Doppler velocity with intracoronary wires at the left main stem, left anterior descending and circumflex arteries, and aorta in 14 subjects after a normal coronary arteriogram. Then, in 10 subjects, serial measurements were made along the aorta before and after intracoronary isosorbide dinitrate. Wave speed was derived by two methods in the aorta: 1) the two-site distance/time method (foot-to-foot delay of pressure waveforms) and 2) a new single-point method using simultaneous pressure and velocity measurements. Coronary wave speed was derived by the single-point method. Wave speed derived by the two methods correlated well (r = 0.72, P < 0.05). Coronary wave speed correlated with aortic wave speed (r = 0.72, P = 0.002). After nitrate administration, coronary wave speed fell by 43%: from 16.4 m/s (95% confidence interval 12.6-20.1) to 9.3 m/s (95% confidence interval 6.5-12.0, P < 0.001). This single-point method allows determination of wave speed in the human coronary artery. Aortic wave speed is correlated to coronary wave speed. Finally, this technique detects the prompt fall in coronary artery wave speed with isosorbide dinitrate.

Aorta↗

Long-term changes in the response of conductance and resistance coronary vessels to endothelium-dependent and independent vasodilators. A double-blind placebo-controlled study of the effect of a 6-month treatment with cilazapril.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a 6-month treatment with the inhibitor of the angiotensin-converting enzyme cilazapril on the response of conductance and resistance vessels to endothelium-dependent and independent vasodilators, in a randomized placebo-controlled parallel group single center study. METHODS: Quantitative angiographic and Doppler flow time-averaged peak velocity measurements were performed in an artery with < 30% diameter stenosis after sequential selective intracoronary injection of papaverine (7 mg), acetylcholine (0.036, 0.36 and 3.6 microg/ml at 2 ml/min) and isosorbide dinitrate. Repeated assessment was performed after a 6-month treatment with cilazapril 20 mg/day or placebo. Thirty-four patients were enrolled in the study undergoing elective percutaneous coronary interventions for stable angina. Main outcome measures were percent differences from baseline and absolute measurements of mean coronary cross-sectional area, coronary flow time-averaged peak velocity and flow resistance in the initial study and at follow-up for the placebo and the treated group. RESULTS: No significant differences between the placebo and the treated group were observed in the modifications of cross-sectional area after acetylcholine and isosorbide dinitrate and in the response of time-averaged peak velocity to papaverine. After the maximal concentration of acetylcholine a high but statistically not significant increase in flow and a decrease in flow resistance were observed in the treated group (medians: 45% increase vs 4% increase for coronary flow, and 44% decrease vs 1% increase for flow resistance in the cilazapril and in the treated group, respectively, p = NS). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with coronary artery disease, a 6-month treatment with 20 mg of cilazapril/day did not modify the response to endothelium-independent and dependent vasodilators of epicardial arteries without any significant stenoses but induced a consistent, although not significant, increase in flow and decrease in flow resistance after acetylcholine.

Acetylcholine↗

Nitrate tolerance: the lack of effect of N-acetylcysteine.

The hemodynamic and antianginal effects of 30 mg of isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) were assessed in 12 patients with chronic stable angina after initial dosing and after 7 to 10 days of therapy four times daily. During early therapy, ISDN produced significant hemodynamic and antianginal effects that persisted over a 3 hr observation period. During sustained therapy there was attenuation of the hemodynamic effects at rest, and treadmill exercise time to the onset of angina and to the development of moderate angina was increased 1 hr after dosing; no effect was apparent at 3 hr. During this state of nitrate tolerance, patients were treated with an infusion of normal saline or 100 mg/kg N-acetylcysteine and exercise testing was repeated. N-Acetylcysteine did not change the hemodynamic findings at rest or during exercise and there was no improvement in exercise tolerance. It is apparent that the short-term administration of reduced sulfhydryl groups does not reverse tolerance to the hemodynamic and antianginal effects of isosorbide dinitrate in an exercise test model.

Acetylcysteine↗

Long-term follow-up of verapamil and nitrate treatment for coronary artery spasm.

Thirty-seven patients with coronary artery spasm and minor coronary atherosclerosis (34) or normal coronary arteries (3) were followed up long-term. All had angina at rest, 32 had nocturnal angina, and 13 had a positive exercise test with S-T elevation. Three had a previous subendocardial infarction; 10 had had serious arrhythmias, which caused syncope in 7. At last review, 21 months (range 1 to 61) after starting therapy, 27 patients continued on verapamil, 314 (120 to 600) mg/day; 4 who did not respond to verapamil were taking nifedipine, 58 (30 to 80) mg/day; and 16 were also taking isosorbide dinitrate, 41 (20 to 80) mg/day. Of the 31 patients on therapy, 21 were asymptomatic, 9 were improved (1 to 4 attacks/month), and 1 had an average of 8 anginal attacks/month; the remaining 6 had stopped therapy and 5 were asymptomatic a mean of 10 (3 to 18) months after stopping. The exercise test became negative in all 12 patients tested on therapy, although 3 required nitrates in addition to verapamil or nifedipine. In 26 supervised treatment withdrawals in the hospital, a mean of 15 (1 to 55) months on therapy, 10 developed angina in less than 48 hours. Angina recurred in all 6 unsupervised, patient-initiated withdrawals. Failure to stop smoking was positively associated with recurrence of angina on treatment withdrawal (p less than 0.02). Long-term treatment of coronary artery spasm with verapamil or nifedipine together with isosorbide dinitrate was well tolerated and effectively relieved angina. No documented serious arrhythmias, syncopal episodes, myocardial infarction, or death occurred during follow-up.

Coronary Angiography↗

Vasomotor response to ergometrine and nitrates of saphenous vein grafts, internal mammary artery grafts, and grafted coronary arteries late after bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND: In vitro studies have shown that the vasomotor response of internal mammary artery to vasoactive agents differs from that of saphenous vein. METHODS AND RESULTS: To assess whether the response in vivo to methylergometrine and to nitrates differs in saphenous vein grafts, internal mammary artery grafts, and coronary arteries, 25 patients were studied more than 6 months (range, 6-96 months) after surgery. Angiograms of saphenous vein grafts (n = 11) or mammary artery grafts (n = 14) were obtained in basal conditions, after intravenous infusion of 0.4 mg methylergometrine, and after intragraft infusion of 1 mg isosorbide dinitrate. Computerized quantitative angiography was used to assess the changes in luminal diameter of the bypass graft and of the grafted coronary artery (n = 11). Methylergometrine reduced the diameter of saphenous vein grafts by 6.9 +/- 7.4%, from 3.26 +/- 0.71 to 3.05 +/- 0.76 mm (p < 0.01), and that of grafted coronary arteries by 9.3 +/- 7.2% (NS compared with saphenous vein grafts), from 2.08 +/- 0.49 to 1.89 +/- 0.49 mm (p < 0.005). The diameter of internal mammary artery grafts did not change significantly, from 3.27 +/- 0.42 to 3.25 +/- 0.44 mm (-0.3 +/- 5.1%, p < 0.02 compared with saphenous vein grafts and p < 0.002 compared with coronary arteries). After isosorbide dinitrate, the diameter of both grafted coronary arteries and mammary artery grafts increased significantly (respectively to 2.46 +/- 0.62 mm and 3.44 +/- 0.43 mm), the vasodilatation being greater (p < 0.002) in coronary arteries (+17.8 +/- 9.8% in proportion to basal diameter, p < 0.001) than in mammary grafts (+5.5 +/- 3.3%, p < 0.001). The diameter of saphenous vein grafts returned to control values (3.28 +/- 0.70 mm, NS compared with basal); the changes in luminal diameter after nitrates (+0.7 +/- 3.1%, NS) were significantly smaller than for mammary artery grafts (p < 0.01) and for grafted coronary arteries (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Unlike internal mammary artery grafts, saphenous vein grafts constrict in response to methylergometrine and do not dilate in response to nitrates. These differences in vasomotor response could reflect heterogeneity in the sensitivity of vascular smooth muscle to these agents or differences in the basal level of vasomotor tone.

Cardiac Catheterization↗

Effect of direct vasodilation with hydralazine versus angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition with captopril on mortality in advanced heart failure: the Hy-C trial.

To compare the benefit of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition and direct vasodilation on the prognosis of advanced heart failure, 117 patients evaluated for cardiac transplantation who had severe symptoms and abnormal hemodynamic status at rest were randomized to treatment with either captopril or hydralazine plus isosorbide dinitrate (Hy-C Trial). Comparable hemodynamic effects of the two regimens were sought by titrating vasodilator doses to match the hemodynamic status achieved with nitroprusside and diuretic agents, attempting to achieve a pulmonary capillary wedge pressure of 15 mm Hg and a systemic vascular resistance of 1,200 dynes.s.cm-5. Treatment with the alternate vasodilator was started because of poor hemodynamic response or side effects (40% of patients in the captopril group and 22% in the hydralazine group). Adequate hemodynamic response in patients with a serum sodium level less than 135 mg/dl was more likely with hydralazine than with captopril (71% vs. 33%, p = 0.04). Isosorbide dinitrate was prescribed in 88% of the hydralazine-treated patients and 84% of the captopril-treated patients. The hemodynamic improvements from each regimen were equivalent. After 8 +/- 7 months of follow-up, the actuarial 1-year survival rate was 81% in the captopril-treated patients and 51% in the hydralazine-treated patients (p = 0.05). The improved survival with captopril resulted from a lower rate of sudden death, which occurred in only 3 of 44 captopril-treated patients compared with 17 of 60 hydralazine-treated patients (p = 0.01). In the subset of patients who continued treatment with the initial vasodilator, results were similar to those for the entire treatment group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Actuarial Analysis↗