title: Calcitonin gene-related peptide enhances the recovery of contractile function in stunned myocardium.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Calcitonin gene-related peptide, a potent vasodilating inotropic agent, increases coronary artery perfusion when administered exogenously and reduces ischemic injury in nonmyocardial tissue. However, it is unclear whether this agent improves recovery of myocardial performance after reversible myocardial ischemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine dogs underwent complete occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery for 15 minutes and were monitored during 24 hours of reperfusion. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (0.07 microgram. kg(-1). min(-1)), nitroglycerin (65 microgram. kg(-1). min(-1)), or saline solution placebo was infused intravenously during initial reperfusion. Ischemia/reperfusion was repeated in concurrent 24-hour periods until all animals received infusions in random order. Micromanometry and sonomicrometry determined left ventricular pressure and myocardial segment length. Myocardial performance, based on the linear relationship between stroke work and end-diastolic segment length, was estimated with the preload recruitable work area. Results were analyzed as percent control and compared statistically with the use of repeated measures analysis of variance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recovery of myocardial performance was augmented during reperfusion with calcitonin gene-related peptide infusion relative to placebo
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
authors.forename: B Z
authors.initials: BZ
authors.lastname: Atkins
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Silvestry
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Samy
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Sabiston
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Glower
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004285:Dogs; D009200:Myocardial Contraction; D017682:Myocardial Stunning / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide