Plasma endothelin-1 levels during transient acute myocardial ischaemia in men : effects of coronary revascularization

The endothelium-derived peptide endothelin-1 (ET-1) was evaluated in 14 male patients [mean age 52.74 years (SEM 1.10)] affected by coronary artery disease during a bicycle electrocardiographic stress test and dipyridamole echocardiogram. Both tests were performed before and after coronary revascularization. Fourteen healthy male subjects served as controls [mean age 53.21 years (SEM 1.63)]. Baseline plasma endothelin-1 levels were higher (P < 0.0001) in ischaemic patients [1.81 pg mL -1 (0.15,n=14)] than in control subjects [0.61 pg mL -1 (0.03, n=14)], but did not increase with exercise in both groups. Similar results were obtained with dipyridamole infusion. Endothelin- I levels significantly decreased after coronary revascularization [before: mean 1.81 pg mL -1 (SEM 0-15, n =14); after: mean 1.16 pg mL -1 (SEM 0.11), P < 0.002], without changes in the peptide response to both tests. In conclusion, elevated plasma endothelin-l concentrations were found in patients with stable angina compared with non-ischaemic subjects. No changes were observed during exercise or dipyridamole infusion in both groups. Coronary revascularization was followed by a significant decrease in plasma endothelin-1 levels.