title: alpha-adrenergic coronary vasoconstriction and myocardial ischemia in humans.
abstract: The use of quantitative coronary angiography, combined with Doppler and PET, has recently been directed at the study of alpha-adrenergic coronary vasomotion in humans. Confirming prior animal experiments, there is no evidence of alpha-adrenergic coronary constrictor tone at rest. Again confirming prior experiments, responses to alpha-adrenoceptor activation are augmented in the presence of coronary endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis, involving both alpha(1)- and alpha(2)-adrenoceptors in epicardial conduit arteries and microvessels. Such augmented alpha-adrenergic coronary constriction is observed during exercise and coronary interventions, and it is powerful enough to induce myocardial ischemia and limit myocardial function. Recent studies indicate a genetic determination of alpha(2)-adrenergic coronary constriction.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Pathophysiologie and Abteilung für Kardiologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Essen, Germany. gerd.heusch@uni-essen.de
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Heusch
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Baumgart
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Camici
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chilian
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gregorini
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hess
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Indolfi
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Rimoldi
mesh_terms: D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000502:physiology*; D014661:Vasoconstriction
chemical_list: D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha