title: Preserved endothelial function in the spastic segment of the human epicardial coronary artery in patients with variant angina--role of substance P in evaluating endothelial function.
abstract: This study aimed to determine whether or not endothelium-dependent vasodilation is preserved in spastic segments of human epicardial coronary arteries. Segmental responses of coronary arteries to substance P were examined in 30 patients with variant angina and in 10 patients with atypical chest pain using a quantitative angiographic technique. Coronary diameter at the basal state was matched between spastic and non-spastic segments in patients with variant angina, normal coronary arteries and with atypical chest pain (2.3 +/- 0.2 mm, 2.3 +/- 0.4 mm, 2.4 +/- 0.3 mm, respectively). In segments where vasospasm was induced by ergonovine and/or acetylcholine, changes in diameter in response to substance P did not differ from those in non-spastic segments; maximal dilation averaged 27.1 +/- 9.5% in the spastic segments and 24.4 +/- 9.6% in the non-spastic segments (expressed as a percent increase over the value before drug administration). It would appear that the potential of the endothelium to release endothelium-dependent relaxant factor (EDRF) and the vasodilator response to EDRF are preserved, even in spastic segments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Kyushu Welfare Pension Hospital, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000368:Aged; D000788:Angina Pectoris, Variant / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003329:Coronary Vasospasm / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004874:Ergonovine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology; D013373:Substance P / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide; D013373:Substance P; D000109:Acetylcholine; D004874:Ergonovine