Efficacy of trimetazidine in patients with recurrent angina: a subgroup analysis of the TRIMPOL II study.

OBJECTIVES: The revascularization procedures become more and more popular to treat coronary artery disease, in many countries. Some patients are free of angina after revascularization, without any documented re-stenosis present with recurrent angina symptoms after a period of time. The aim of this work was to assess the efficacy of trimetazidine in the subpopulation of patients with a history of PTCA or CABG, who were included in the TRIMPOL II study. METHODOLOGY: A subgroup of 94 patients was retrospectively analysed from the TRIMPOL II study, a multicentre, double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial in 426 patients with stable effort angina. These patients have a history of revascularization for coronary artery disease, and they are still symptomatic after 6 months despite a treatment with metoprolol (50 mg twice daily). They were randomly allocated to receive either trimetazidine (20 mg 3 times daily) or placebo for 12 weeks, on top of the beta-blocker. Exercise test parameters, clinical efficacy and safety were assessed. Results were analysed using the Student test, the Mann-Whitney test or the Shapiro-Wilk test. RESULTS: Compared to placebo, the 12-week treatment with trimetazidine significantly improved: time to 1 mm ST segment depression (385.1 s +/- 144.6 s versus 465.0 s +/- 143.8 s [p < 0.01]); exercise test duration (466.9 s +/- 144.8 s versus 524.4 s +/- 131.5 s [p = 0.048]), total workload (9.0 m.e. +/- 2.4 m.e versus 10.1 m.e. +/- 2.4 m.e [p = 0.035]) as well as time to onset of angina (433.6 s +/- 164 s versus 508.1 s +/- 132.4 s [p = 0.031]). Weekly number of angina attacks and nitrate consumption were significantly reduced in the trimetazidine group when compared to placebo. Three mild gastro-intestinal side-effects were reported in the trimetazidine group. CONCLUSION: These results show that trimetazidine provides anti-anginal efficacy in post-revascularized patients with recurrent angina despite a monotherapy with metoprolol. The treatment was well accepted.

Combination treatment in stable effort angina using trimetazidine and metoprolol: results of a randomized, double-blind, multicentre study (TRIMPOL II). TRIMetazidine in POLand.

AIMS: To assess the antiischaemic efficacy and tolerability of the metabolic agent trimetazidine in combination with metoprolol in patients with stable effort angina. METHODS: This was a randomized, multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group study. A total of 426 male and female patients with stable, effort-induced angina and documented coronary artery disease received either placebo or trimetazidine 20 mg three times daily in addition to metoprolol 50 mg twice daily. Treadmill exercise tests were performed at weeks (-1), 0, 4 and 12. RESULTS: After 12 weeks, there were significantly greater improvements in the metoprolol + trimetazidine group than in the metoprolol + placebo group in: time to 1 mm ST segment depression, total workload, time to onset of angina, maximum ST segment depression, mean weekly number of angina attacks, mean weekly nitrate consumption, and grade of anginal pain. There was no evidence of any development of tolerance to trimetazidine. The tolerability of trimetazidine was excellent. CONCLUSIONS: Therapy with trimetazidine plus metoprolol produced significant improvements in exercise stress tests and the symptoms of angina relative to metoprolol alone. With its metabolic effect, devoid of any haemodynamic action, trimetazidine is useful for combination therapy in patients with stable angina insufficiently controlled by monotherapy with a beta-blocker.

[Efficacy and tolerance of trimetazidine, a metabolic antianginal, in combination with a hemodynamic antianginal in stable exertion angina. TRIMPOL I, a multicenter study]. / Efficacité et tolérance de la trimétazidine, antiangoreux métabolique, en association avec un antiangoreux hémodynamique dans l'angor d'effort stable. TRIMPOL I une étude multicentrique.

OBJECTIVE: Assess the antianginal and anti-ischemic effect of trimetazidine in patients with stable exercise-induced angina insufficiently controlled with conventional antianginal drugs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study population included patients with coronarographically documented stable exercise-induced angina and no other serious concomitant condition. For inclusion, patients had to have two comparably positive treadmill exercise tests. Conventional antiangina drugs (long-acting nitrate derivatives, beta-blockers or calcium antagonists) were continued as was any other therapy having no effect on the ECG ST segment. The patients were given a 4-week regimen of trimetazidine (20 mg t.i.d.) after the second positive treadmill test and final inclusion. At the end of this period, a final exercise test was performed. The study population included 700 patients (mean age 54 +/- 8.4 years, range 32-71 years, 615 men, 85 women) who completed the entire treatment protocol. RESULTS: The main findings observed after 4 weeks of treatment with trimetazidine were: significant lengthening of the total duration of exercise (486.6 s versus 443.7 s, p < 0.01)), increase in total work (10.6 METS versus 9.4 METS, p < 0.01), significant lengthening of delay to 1 mm ST depression (389.9 s versus 337.8 s, p < 0.01) and of the delay to onset of angina (450.3 s versus 251.7 s, p < 0.01). The other results were a significant reduction in the number of daily episodes of angina (2.47 versus 3.66, p < 0.01) and a reduction in mean use of complementary trinitrine (1.8 versus 2.94, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Four weeks of treatment with trimetazidine in combination with conventional antiangina drugs leads to a longer delay to development of 1 mm ST depression (ischemia threshold), significant lengthening of total duration of treadmill exercise, increased total work, and longer delay to angina theshold. Clinically, there was a reduction in the mean number of episodes of angina and a reduction in the use of trinitrine.

The antiischemic effects and tolerability of trimetazidine in coronary diabetic patients. A substudy from TRIMPOL-1.

Diabetes mellitus, a disease with a wide prevalence, has major cardiovascular effects, being a risk factor for the development of ischemic heart disease and congestive heart failure. The aim of this open, multicenter study was to assess the antiischemic efficacy and tolerability of trimetazidine, a metabolic agent acting at the myocardial mitochondrial level, in diabetic patients with stable effort angina treated previously with a single conventional antianginal drug. Fifty diabetic patients (mean age 58 years) with proven coronary artery disease, stable effort angina for at least 3 months, and positive, comparable results of two initial treadmill exercise tests separated by a 1-week interval were included in the study. They continued their conventional antianginal monotherapy with a long-acting nitrate, beta-blocker, or calcium channel blocker. After stabilization, 4-week therapy with trimetazidine, three times daily, 20 mg was initiated in combination with previous treatment. The results showed a significant improvement in exercise tolerance (440.2 vs. 383.2 s; P < 0.01), time to 1-mm ST-segment depression (358.3 vs. 301.6 s; P < 0.01), time to onset of anginal pain (400.0 vs. 238.3 s; P < 0.01), and total work (9.39 vs. 8.67 metabolic equivalents, P < 0.01). Maximal ST-segment depression was attenuated compared with baseline (1.82 vs. 1.91 mm). Other findings included a significant decrease in the mean frequency of anginal episodes (3.06 vs. 4.79 per week; P < 0.01) and in mean nitrate consumption (2.29 vs. 4.2 doses/week). These results suggest that trimetazidine may be effective and is well tolerated as combination therapy for diabetic coronary artery disease patients uncontrolled with a single hemodynamic agent.

Elevation of plasma fibrinogen in silent myocardial ischaemia.

High plasma levels of fibrinogen and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) are reported to be correlated with coronary heart disease. Therefore the level of fibrinogen concentration in plasma was examined and verified for the possible correlation with the previously explored PAI-1 antigen and PAI-1 activity in the pathogenesis of premature atherosclerosis (Grzywacz et al., 1998, Blood Coagul Fibrinol. 9, 245-249). Examination included only men, aged 33-46 years, who were in a stable condition for at least six months after the acute event. They were divided into two subgroups: group A (n = 14) with and group B (n = 15) without ischaemic changes in 24 h Holter electrocardiogram. The number of involved vessels visible on the coronarography picture was similar in both groups. In the patients of group A the mean level of fibrinogen (3.92 vs 3.23 g/l, P < 0.05) was higher than in the controls (n = 15). No statistically differences were found between group B and control healthy subjects in any of the parameters measured. There were no correlation between fibrinogen concentration and PAI-1 antigen and activity levels, which were elevated in both groups of patients according to our previous study. Our results indicate that elevated levels of plasma fibrinogen and PAI-1 appeared in the group of patients with more severe disease, as revealed by silent myocardial ischaemia.

Impairment of plasma fibrinolysis in young survivors of myocardial infarction with silent ischaemia.

The aim of this study was to compare fibrinolytic parameters in two subgroups of young survivors of myocardial infarction: group A (n = 14) with silent myocardial ischaemia and group B (n = 15) without silent myocardial ischaemia, as assessed by 24 h Holter electrocardiogram monitoring. Only men aged 33-46 years who were in a stable condition at least 6 months after the acute event were included in the survey. All patients were normolipaemic or had only mild hyperlipidaemia, non-diabetic, normotensive, non-current smokers and with a normal body mass index. The control group consisted of 15 age-matched healthy men. Blood samples were taken at 7.30 a.m. In the group A patients, we found higher mean levels of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) total antigen (11.1 versus 6.9 ng/ml, P < 0.01), its inhibitor plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) antigen (58.1 versus 34.8 ng/ml, P < 0.01), PAI-1 activity (4.9 versus 3.4 U/ml, P < 0.05) and tPA-PAI-1 complexes (5.1 versus 3.5 ng/ml, P < 0.05) as well as a lower level of t-PA activity (0.5 versus 0.8 IU/ml, P < 0.01) and free t-PA antigen (0.8 versus 1.3 ng/ml, P < 0.01) compared with the controls. However, group A patients exhibited higher PAI-1 antigen levels (58.1 versus 41.6 ng/ml, P < 0.05) than those without silent ischaemia. There were no differences between group B and controls in any of the parameters measured. Our results indicate that patients with more severe disease, as revealed by silent myocardial ischaemia, had lower levels of free t-PA as a result of the excess of PAI-1.

Low molecular weight heparin and the heparin mobilisable pool of platelet factor 4 are reduced in young survivors of myocardial infarction.

The platelet factor 4 (PF4) mobilisation properties of low molecular weight heparin (Fraxiparine, Sanofi Winthrop, France) in young survivors of myocardial infarction (YSMI) and healthy volunteers have been investigated. The study group consisted of 42 YSMI less than 44 years old, all of them with angiographically proven occlusive coronary artery disease, studied 6 to 24 months after the acute event. The control group was composed of 30 healthy men of similar age. Subjects from the study and control groups were allocated to the following subgroups: those receiving 60 or 120 IU/kg b.w. of standard heparin (Polfa Kutno, Poland) and those receiving 60, 120 or 180 IC anti-Xa U/kg b.w. of low molecular weight heparin (Fraxiparine, Sanofi Winthrop, France) as a single intravenous injection. Additionally, in five YSMI patients the influence of prolonged aspirin administration (0.3g daily for more than 30 days) on the Fraxiparine mobilsable pool of PF4 and beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG) concentration in the plasma was determined after injection of 180 IC anti-Xa U/kg b.w. of the drug. The PF 4 and beta-TG concentration in the plasma was evaluated using enzyme immunoassay methods before heparin or Fraxiparine intravenous injection and 2, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 60 min after. In both, the control and YSMI groups baseline PF4 levels were found to be normal. Moreover, similar marked dose-dependent increases of PF4 concentration in the plasma measured after 60 and 120 IU/kg b.w. of heparin as well as after 60 and 120 IC anti-Xa U/kg b.w. of Fraxiparine was found. The administration of 120 IU/kg b.w. of heparin resulted in a reduced rise in plasma PF 4 in YSMI as compared to healthy controls. The same phenomenon was observed when 180 IC anti-Xa U/kg b. w. of Fraxiparine was injected intravenously. In YSMI treatment with aspirin had no influence on the Fraxiparine mobilisable pool of PF 4 or the beta-TG concentration in the plasma. These results suggest that mobilisable pool of platelet factor 4 in young survivors of myocardial infarction derives from the "nonplatelet pool" and that reduction of heparin- or Fraxiparine-releasable pool of PF4 may reflect an impaired endothelium function, probably due to atherosclerosis.

[Low molecular weight heparin (Fraxiparine) as adjunctive therapy with thrombolysis for acute myocardial infarction: a pilot study with a one year follow up]. / Drobnoczasteczkowa heparyna (Fraksyparyna) jako uzupe-nienie leczenia trombolitycznego swiezego zawalu serca; próba "pilotowa" z roczna obserwacja chorych.

In 53 patients with recent (< 6 hrs) acute myocardial infarction a study was undertaken to evaluate the safety of conjunctive therapy with streptokinase (1.5 mln U), aspirin (150 mg) and low molecular weight heparin (Fraxiparine). Patients were treated with Fraxiparine 250 U anti-Xa IC/kg/24 hrs iv for 2 days (with bolus 12.5 U anti-Xa IC/kg), and 125 U anti-Xa IC/kg twice a day sc for 5 subsequent days. Clinical course in one-year observation was compared regarding the time the therapy was initiated. In the group undergoing therapy 3-6 hrs after the infarct had occurred 4 (7.5%) patients died (2 during hospitalization, 2 after discharge). In 31 patients treated within 3 hrs of the myocardial infarction there were fewer cases of recurrent myocardial infarction, unstable angina or congestive heart failure necessitating rehospitalization their (9.1%) than in 22 patients included in the treatment regimen between 3 rd and 6th h of the infarction (27.3%). Earlier thrombolysis was also connected with higher left ventricular ejection fraction (55 +/- 8% vs 49 +/- 10%) and more frequent peak CK-MB values 12 hrs after thrombolysis (81% and 68% of patients respectively). Neither symptomatic deep vein thrombosis nor pulmonary embolism was detected. The left ventricular thrombosis was diagnosed by echocardiography in 4 of 20 patients (20%) with the first anterior myocardial infarction. There was neither bleeding requiring blood transfusion nor cerebrovascular stroke. The treatment with Fraxiparine did not induce the prolongation of APTT values. Conjunctive thrombolytic therapy with low molecular weight heparin was safe and followed by a favorable outcome of the acute myocardial infarction, especially if instituted within the first 3 hrs after the onset of infarction.

On the action of a heparan-like glycosaminoglycan (Hemovasal) on the mechanism of haemostasis and fibrinolysis.

Hemovasal produced by Manetti-Roberts, Florence, Italy, is a glycosaminoglycan obtained from porcine intestinal mucosa which belongs to the family of heparan sulfates. The substance was examined On 36 male survivors of myocardial infarction with an interval of at least 6 months after the acute event. No anticoagulants were given and ASA was withdrawn at least 2 weeks before the trial. Hemovasal was administered in 3 different i.m. doses as single injections. A further group received a daily oral dose of 300 mg for one week. A comparable placebo group of patients as well as a group of healthy volunteers was run in parallel. The coagulation profile showed only a slight prolongation of the aPTT, a trace of diminution of Antithrombin III and no activation of Heparin cofactor II. The fibrinolytic system showed an enhancement of the diurnal increase of t-PA without an alteration of the total increase of this activity. There was a considerable and highly significant diminution of the PAI-1 activity. This was dose dependent and could be found after i.m. as well as after oral administration. It was assumed that the thrombolytic effect which was repeatedly described was a consequence of the diminution of PAI-1.

[Type of behavior pattern and risk factors in young men after myocardial infarction]. / Typ wzoru zachowania a cyznniki zagrozenia u mlodych mezczyzn po zawale serca.

The studies involved 102 male patients, aged between 23 and 40 years, with a history of one myocardial infarction. Behaviour pattern was determined with The Jenkins Activity Survey questionnaire. Total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and uric acid concentrations were assayed, both diastolic and systolic blood pressures were measured, all patients were weighed, and reported the number of smoked cigarettes. A mean number of risk factors per patient was calculated as well as their incidence in various behaviour patterns. It was found behaviour pattern A predominates in young male patients with a history of myocardial infarction. However, serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and uric acid levels were lower in this group in comparison with those representing behaviour patterns B and X. The authors suggest that behaviour pattern A may be an independent risk factor for myocardial infarction in young subjects. Further studies are, therefore, needed within the programs of circulatory diseases prevention.

[Evaluation of thrombotic risk in young men after myocardial infarction during a period of clinical stability]. / Ocena zagrozenia zakrzepowego u mlodych mezczyzn po zawale serca w okresie klinicznej stabilnosci.

The study was aimed at an evaluation of individualized indications for antithrombotic therapy for secondary prevention in a group of 40 young survivors (aged 30-40 years) of myocardial infarction, presenting a stable phase of coronary disease. The control group consisted of 19 healthy men, of approximately similar age distribution. The determinations concerned the following: in vitro ADP and collagen induced platelet aggregation, plasma fibrinogen concentration, factor VII, VIII and antithrombin III activity, protein C concentration, spontaneous fibrinolytic activity and fibrinolytic activity after venostasis, plasminogen and alpha-2 antiplasmin activity. Moreover, to determine correlations with hemostatic parameters lipids, apolipoproteins, glucose, uric acid plasma concentration as well as percentages of lipoproteins and glycolyzed hemoglobin were also studied. In the study group various hemostasis disturbances were found: an increased platelet aggregation induced by low concentrations of ADP, increased plasma fibrinogen concentration and factor VII activity, decreased protein C concentration and impaired plasma fibrinolytic activity after venostasis. Some correlations between hemostatic and lipids parameters were also observed. Results of the study have suggested necessity for the individualized antithrombotic prevention in young survivors of myocardial infarction with antiplatelet and/or anticoagulant drugs.

[Myxoma of the left atrium suggesting a connective tissue disease]. / Sluzak lewego przedsionka sugerujacy chorobe tkanki lacznej.

A case is presented of myxoma of the left atrium suggesting a connective tissue disease. In the foreground were musculo-articular symptoms, sub-febrile states, considerable loss a body weight. At the same time an increased sedimentation rate, hypergammaglobulinaemia, increased level of IgG and IgM, high CRP level, and the presence of antinuclear antibodies and LE cells were noted. The diagnosis of myxoma was made on the basis of echocardiographic examination. After surgical resection of the tumor all symptoms regressed, and a normalization was observed of the formerly observed abnormalities in the laboratory investigations.

[Left coronary artery-pulmonary artery fistula. Case report]. / Przetoka lewej tetnicy wiencowej do pnia tetnicy plucnej. Opis przypadku.

A case of a 45-year-old male with anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery fistula to the main pulmonary trunk is reported. The patient was admitted because of a retrosternal pain. ECG showed ST-elevation in leads V2-3. This was first episode of anginal symptoms. The authors suggest that the single episode of coronary pain may have been provoked by faintness (following alcohol consumption) in the mechanism of the steal syndrome or by coronary spasm. A fistula (on coronarography) was diagnosed (the coronary arteries showed no changes). The value of the shunt calculated via Flick's method was 1.1 l/min. Exercise test, 24-hour ECG recording as well as stress thallium scintigraphy did not reveal post-exertion ischemic changes. During a 17-month post hospitalization follow-up the patient reported no anginal symptoms. Because of the small shunt and asymptomatic follow-up no surgical treatment was recommended.

[Platelet activation in young men after myocardial infarction: its relation to metabolic coronary risk factors]. / Aktywacja plytek krwi u mlodych mezczyzn po przebytym zawale serca. Zaleznosc od metabolicznych czynników zagrozenia wiencowego.

Selected parameters of platelet function as well as their relationship with metabolic coronary risk factors are studied in a group of 40 young survivors (aged 30-40 years) of myocardial infarction, now presenting stable coronary disease. Nineteen healthy men, of approximately similar age-span, constituted the control group. The following parameters were determined: platelet survival half-time (via non-isotope method), intraplatelet activity of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid (by measurements of malondialdehyde concentration before and after incubation with acetylsalicylic acid acid) and 125-I-fibrinogen binding to platelets. Moreover, the plasmatic concentration of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, Apo A and B, total beta lipoproteins, glucose, uric acid as well as percentages of beta, prebeta, alpha lipoproteins and glycosylated hemoglobin were also studied. Platelet survival half-time in patients was significantly shortened (3.64 +/- 1.37 days) when compared with the control group (4.97 +/- 1.7 days). A higher intraplatelet activity of lipoxygenase pathway (2.02 +/- 0.62 and 1.49 +/- 0.54 nmol MDA/10(9) platelets, respectively) was also found. However, activity of cyclooxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid and 125-I-fibrinogen binding to platelets remained unchanged. Shortened platelet survival half-time and the hyperactivity of intraplatelet lipoxygenase pathway correlated with a reduced plasmatic concentration of HDL-cholesterol (r = 0.323, p less than 0.05 and r = -0.451, p less than 0.05, respectively). The remaining parameters of platelet function were not statistically related to metabolic risk factors. The values of platelet function indicators in subgroups of patients divided according to family history of coronary heart disease, oral glucose load test result, and submaximal exercise test result did not differ significantly.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Our experience with the treatment of cancer of the adrenal cortex]. / Wlasne spostrzezenia w leczeniu raków kory nadnercza.

Nineteen patients with suprarenal tumours were treated surgically within 9 years. Suprarenal cortex carcinoma was diagnosed in 4 of them. One patient was operated twice within 18 months: first the tumour from the right suprarenal gland was removed, then--from the left. Four out of 5 removed tumours were quite sizeable; only in one patient tumour was less than 5 cm in diameter. For diagnostic purposes urography, arteriography, computer tomography and USG were used. Because the characteristic symptoms of the diagnose were absent. Patients reported for the treatment when the disease was markedly advanced. This study stresses the necessity of operative treatment despite discouraging results of diagnostic examinations.