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-1 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-1 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.