title: Abciximab attenuates coronary microvascular endothelial dysfunction after coronary stenting.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blockade with abciximab decreases ischemic events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI); however, the mechanism of this benefit has not been fully elucidated. The present study was designed to assess endothelium-dependent vasomotion after coronary stenting and to determine if abciximab alters this response.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study group consisted of 48 patients (59+/-10 years of age) with discrete coronary stenoses who underwent stenting alone (n=28) or stenting plus abciximab (n=20). A control group consisted of 31 additional patients who had vasomotor testing on a non-PCI vessel. Coronary blood flow (CBF) was measured (0.014-inch Doppler wire) 30 minutes after uncomplicated PCI and in response to the intracoronary infusion of acetylcholine (Ach) (10(-7), 10(-6) mol/L Ach) and adenosine (24 microg). Ach-mediated increase in CBF was impaired after stent insertion when compared with the control group (41+/-52% versus 70+/-48%; P<0.05). The stenting plus abciximab group demonstrated a superior CBF response to Ach compared with the stenting alone group (83+/-93% versus 41+/-52%; P<0.05), with no difference between groups in the peak flow or percent change in flow to adenosine. By multivariate analysis, concomitant administration of abciximab was strongly predictive of the change in CBF to Ach (P<0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Abciximab preserves the CBF response to Ach after coronary stenting. The preservation of microvascular endothelial function may help explain the beneficial clinical effect of this agent in patients undergoing PCI.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Eve D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Aymong
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Curtis
authors.forename: Mostafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Youssef
authors.forename: Michelle M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: Lana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shewchuk
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Leschuk
authors.forename: Todd J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Anderson
mesh_terms: D000077284:Abciximab; D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000241:Adenosine / Q000494:pharmacology; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003326:Coronary Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014666:Vasomotor System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex; D000241:Adenosine; D000109:Acetylcholine; D000077284:Abciximab