N-acetylcysteine in combination with nitroglycerin and streptokinase for the treatment of evolving acute myocardial infarction. Safety and biochemical effects.
BACKGROUND
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has been shown to potentiate the effects of nitroglycerin (NTG) and to have antioxidant activity. This is the first study to assess the safety and effect of NAC in the treatment of evolving acute myocardial infarction (AMI).


RESULTS
Patients with AMI received either 15 g NAC infused over 24 hours (n = 20) or no NAC (n = 7), combined with intravenous NTG and streptokinase. Peripheral venous plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione concentrations, and rate of reperfusion (using continuous ST-segment analysis) were measured. Cardiac catheterization was performed between days 2 and 5. No significant adverse events occurred. Less oxidative stress occurred in patients treated with NAC than in patients not receiving NAC (GSH to GSSG ratio 44 +/- 25 versus 19 +/- 13 at 4 hours, P < .05). NAC concentration (mean 172 +/- 79 mumol/L at 4 hours) was correlated to GSH concentration (P = .006). MDA concentrations were lower (P = .001) over the first 8 hours of treatment with NAC. There was a trend toward more rapid reperfusion (median 58 minutes, 95% confidence interval [CI] 48 to 98 minutes versus median 95 minutes, 95% CI 59 to 106 minutes; P = .17) and better preservation of left ventricular function (cardiac index 3.4 +/- 0.8 versus 2.6 +/- 0.27 L.min.m2, P = .009) with NAC treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
NAC in combination with NTG and streptokinase appeared to be safe for the treatment of evolving AMI and was associated with significantly less oxidative stress, a trend toward more rapid reperfusion, and better preservation of left ventricular function.
Arstall
M A
MA
Cardiology Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University of Adelaide, South Australia.
Yang
J
J
Stafford
I
I
Betts
W H
WH
Horowitz
J D
JD
D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000633:toxicity; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000633:toxicity; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015425:Myocardial Reperfusion; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D013300:Streptokinase / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013997:Time Factors; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D013300:Streptokinase; D005996:Nitroglycerin; D000111:Acetylcysteine