Anti-inflammatory and cartilage-protecting effects of an intra-articularly injected anti-TNF{alpha} single-chain Fv antibody (ESBA105) designed for local therapeutic use.

OBJECTIVES: (1) To show that a single-chain Fv antibody (scFv) against tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) (ESBA105) has efficacy comparable to a full length anti-TNFalpha IgG (infliximab); (2) to evaluate whether ESBA105 has all the properties required for the local treatment of arthritis; and (3) to investigate its discriminative tissue penetration properties. METHODS: In vivo efficacy was measured in arthritis of the knee joint induced by the intra-articular injection of recombinant human TNFalpha (rhTNFalpha) in Lewis rats. Cartilage penetration of scFv (ESBA105) and full length IgG (infliximab) were studied in bovine cartilage specimens ex vivo. Tissue penetration, biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of ESBA105 were followed and compared after intra-articular and intravenous administration. RESULTS: In cell culture, ESBA105 showed similar TNFalpha inhibitory potency to infliximab. In vivo, ESBA105 inhibited rhTNFalpha-induced synovial inflammation in rats with efficacy again comparable to infliximab. An 11-fold molar excess of ESBA105 over rhTNFalpha resulted in 90% inhibition of knee joint swelling, inflammatory infiltrates and proteoglycan loss from cartilage. In ex vivo studies of bovine cartilage, ESBA105 penetrated well into the cartilage whereas infliximab remained on the surface. In vivo, rapid penetration into the synovial tissue, cartilage and surrounding tissues was observed following intra-articular injection of [(125)I]-ESBA105 into the knee joint of rabbits. CONCLUSIONS: ESBA105 potently inhibits inflammation and prevents cartilage damage triggered by TNFalpha. In contrast to a full length IgG, ESBA105 also penetrates into cartilage and can be expected to reverse the TNFalpha-induced catabolic state of articular cartilage in arthritides.

Target gene search for the metal-responsive transcription factor MTF-1.

Activation of genes by heavy metals, notably zinc, cadmium and copper, depends on MTF-1, a unique zinc finger transcription factor conserved from insects to human. Knockout of MTF-1 in the mouse results in embryonic lethality due to liver decay, while knockout of its best characterized target genes, the stress-inducible metallothionein genes I and II, is viable, suggesting additional target genes of MTF-1. Here we report on a multi-pronged search for potential target genes of MTF-1, including microarray screening, SABRE selective amplification, a computer search for MREs (DNA-binding sites of MTF-1) and transfection of reporter genes driven by candidate gene promoters. Some new candidate target genes emerged, including those encoding alpha-fetoprotein, the liver-enriched transcription factor C/EBPalpha and tear lipocalin/von Ebner's gland protein, all of which have a role in toxicity/the cell stress response. In contrast, expression of other cell stress-associated genes, such as those for superoxide dismutases, thioredoxin and heat shock proteins, do not appear to be affected by loss of MTF-1. Our experiments have also exposed some problems with target gene searches. First, finding the optimal time window for detecting MTF-1 target genes in a lethal phenotype of rapid liver decay proved problematical: 12.5-day-old mouse embryos (stage E12.5) yielded hardly any differentially expressed genes, whereas at stage 13.0 reduced expression of secretory liver proteins probably reflected the onset of liver decay, i.e. a secondary effect. Likewise, up-regulation of some proliferation-associated genes may also just reflect responses to the concomitant loss of hepatocytes. Another sobering finding concerns gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase(hc) (gamma-GCS(hc)), which controls synthesis of the antioxidant glutathione and which was previously suggested to be a target gene contributing to the lethal phenotype in MTF-1 knockout mice. gamma-GCS(hc) mRNA is reduced at the onset of liver decay but MTF-1 null mutant embryos manage to maintain a very high glutathione level until shortly before that stage, perhaps in an attempt to compensate for low expression of metallothioneins, which also have a role as antioxidants.

Placenta growth factor gene expression is induced by hypoxia in fibroblasts: a central role for metal transcription factor-1.

Placenta growth factor (PlGF) is a mitogen for endothelial cells that can potentiate the growth and permeabilizing effects on endothelium of vascular endothelial growth factor. Here we report that hypoxia induces the expression of both PlGF mRNA and protein in immortalized/transformed mouse embryonic fibroblasts (mEFs) and in NIH 3T3 cells. Importantly, the magnitude of the induction of PlGF expression by hypoxia is enhanced by the presence of oncogenic Ras. To investigate the transcriptional component of hypoxia-inducible PlGF expression, we cloned and sequenced a 1350-bp fragment of the 5'-flanking region of the mouse gene. Analysis of the promoter region indicated the presence of putative consensus sequences for known hypoxia-responsive regulatory sites, including metal response elements and Sp1-like sites. In the present study, we show that the induction of PlGF expression by hypoxia is dependent on the presence of the metal response element-binding transcription factor 1 (MTF-1). Thus, in mEFs with targeted deletions of both MTF-1 alleles, hypoxia-induced increases of PIGF mRNA and protein levels were greatly attenuated compared with those in wild-type mEFs. Moreover, transient transfection of a PlGF promoter reporter gene into NIH 3T3 cells resulted in hypoxia-responsive transcriptional activation of the reporter. Finally, ectopic expression of MTF-1 resulted in increased basal transcriptional activity of a PlGF promoter reporter. Together, these findings demonstrate that the PlGF gene is responsive to hypoxia and that this response is mediated by MTF-1. It remains to be determined whether this activation is the result of direct and/or indirect transcriptional activation by MTF-1. The stimulatory effect of oncogenic Ras on the induction of PlGF expression in hypoxic cells suggests that PlGF could be an important proangiogenic factor in the tumor microenvironment.

Effects of baseline abdominal pain and bloating on response to lubiprostone in patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation.

BACKGROUND: Lubiprostone (8 µg b.d.) received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 2008 for the treatment of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) in women aged ≥18 years. In 2012, the FDA issued new guidance for IBS-C clinical trials, recommending a composite endpoint incorporating both abdominal pain and stool frequency. AIM: In a post hoc analysis, similar criteria were applied to data from two pivotal, phase 3, double-blind, randomised trials of lubiprostone in patients with IBS-C. METHODS: Included patients had a baseline spontaneous bowel movement (SBM) frequency <3/week and abdominal pain or bloating ratings ≥1.36 on a 5-point scale [0 (absent) to 4 (very severe)]. Responders (composite endpoint) had a mean pain reduction ≥30% compared with baseline, and an increase from baseline of ≥1 SBM/week for ≥6 of the 12 treatment weeks. Lubiprostone effects on abdominal pain alone were also evaluated, as were bloating alone and in a composite endpoint with stool frequency. RESULTS: In pooled data, 325 patients received lubiprostone and 180 received placebo. Rates of response were higher with lubiprostone vs. placebo for the composite endpoint of improved pain and stool frequency (26.3% vs. 15.3%, respectively; P = 0.008) and the composite endpoint of improved bloating and stool frequency (23.8% vs. 12.6%, respectively; P = 0.012). Response rates were also higher with lubiprostone vs. placebo for abdominal pain alone (P = 0.005) and bloating alone (P = 0.012). CONCLUSION: Lubiprostone was significantly more effective than placebo in improving abdominal pain or bloating, and also in composite endpoints that included stool frequency.

Long-term prognosis of patients with anginalike chest pain and normal coronary angiographic findings.

OBJECTIVES: This study analyzes the long-term course of patients with typical angina pectoris or anginalike chest pain and normal coronary angiographic findings. BACKGROUND: In previous studies of such patients the rate of occurrence of typical coronary events during follow-up has differed widely, depending on the duration of the study and the number of patients. METHODS: One hundred seventy-six patients (mean age 48.3 years) who underwent coronary and left ventricular angiography for typical angina or anginalike chest pain were followed up for 5.8 to 15.8 years (median 12.4). By definition, all patients had normal findings on coronary and left ventricular angiograms; exercise test results were positive in 31. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (8%) had a coronary event (0.65%/year) after an average of 9.3 years (median 9.2). Two of the 14 died of a coronary event (0.09%/year), 1 of cardiogenic shock during acute myocardial infarction, 1 suddenly; 4 had a nonfatal myocardial infarction at an average of 8.1 years (median 9.1); 8 had severe angina pectoris after an average of 10.3 years (median 11.1), confirmed by a second angiogram, now with positive findings. Two patients died of a noncoronary cardiac event (chronic cor pulmonale due to obstructive lung disease, acute pulmonary embolism), eight of a noncardiac cause, mainly cancer. None of the 31 patients with a positive exercise test result had a coronary event. Patients with a coronary event had significantly more risk factors (hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, cigarette smoking, diabetes type II) than did those without an event (average 2.4/patient vs. 1.3/patient, p < 0.01). Chest pain persisted in 133 (81%) of the 164 survivors and disappeared in 31 (19%). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with typical angina or anginalike chest pain and normal coronary angiograms have a good long-term prognosis despite persistence of pain for many years; coronary morbidity and mortality are similar to those of the overall population. An increased risk for the development of coronary events is present mainly in patients with elevated risk factors.

Echocardiography in infective endocarditis: reassessment of prognostic implications of vegetation size determined by the transthoracic and the transesophageal approach.

In 105 patients with active infective endocarditis, disease-associated complications defined as severe heart failure (New York Heart Association class IV), embolic events and in-hospital death were correlated to the vegetation size determined by both transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography. A detailed comparison between anatomic and echocardiographic findings, performed in a subgroup of 80 patients undergoing surgery or necropsy, revealed that true valvular vegetations can be reliably identified by echocardiography in the vast majority of patients; the detection rate was significantly higher for the transesophageal (90%) than for the transthoracic (58%) approach, particularly when infected prosthetic valves were evaluated. However, an accurate echocardiographic differentiation between true vegetations and other endocarditis-induced valve destruction (ruptured leaflets or chordae) is impossible. The correlation of vegetation size with endocarditis-associated complications showed that patients with a vegetation diameter greater than 10 mm had a significantly higher incidence of embolic events than did those with a vegetation diameter less than or equal to 10 mm (22 of 47 versus 11 of 58; p less than 0.01). Particularly for patients with mitral valve endocarditis, a vegetation diameter greater than 10 mm was highly sensitive in identifying patients at risk for embolic events. Vegetation size, however, was not significantly different in patients with and without severe heart failure or in patients surviving or dying during acute endocarditis. In addition, no significant correlation was found between vegetation size and location of endocarditis or type of infective organism.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Intracoronary nifedipine in human beings: magnitude and time course of changes in left ventricular contraction/relaxation and coronary sinus blood flow.

Eight patients, all men, having at least 75% stenosis of the proximal, middle or both segments of the left anterior descending coronary artery, underwent intracoronary drug studies at the time of cardiac catheterization after saphenous vein bypass grafting. Nifedipine, 0.1 mg dissolved in saline solution, was infused into a left anterior descending graft that was the primary blood supply to each patient's anterior left ventricular wall and septum. High fidelity left ventricular pressure and its first derivative, dP/dt, and aortic pressure were sampled synchronously with coronary sinus blood flow by the thermodilution technique. The time constant of isovolumic pressure decay (T) was derived. In five patients, percent systolic shortening and mean shortening velocity were determined from myocardial markers implanted into the midwall of the myocardium at the time of cardiac surgery. In response to nifedipine, left ventricular systolic pressure decreased and end-diastolic pressure increased up to 60 seconds. Both positive and negative dP/dt also decreased up to 60 seconds, whereas coronary sinus blood flow increased up to 5 minutes. T was increased at 1 minute but returned to baseline by 3 minutes. Percent systolic shortening and mean shortening velocity were decreased at 1 minute but returned to control level by 3 minutes. Thus, although both left ventricular systolic and diastolic function were depressed by intracoronary administration of nifedipine, coronary sinus blood flow was augmented and remained increased long after changes in left ventricular contraction and relaxation had subsided. These temporal differences are consistent with animal studies showing a differential depressant effect of nifedipine on calcium uptake in smooth muscle and cardiac muscle.

Left atrial spontaneous echo contrast in mitral valve disease: an indicator for an increased thromboembolic risk.

The incidence of left atrial spontaneous echo contrast was evaluated in 52 patients with isolated or predominant mitral valve stenosis (Group 1) and 70 other patients who had undergone mitral valve replacement (Group 2). All patients were studied by conventional transthoracic and transesophageal two-dimensional echocardiography. Spontaneous echo contrast could be visualized within the left atrium in 35 Group 1 patients (67.3%) (including 7 patients with sinus rhythm) and 26 Group 2 patients (37.1%) (all with atrial fibrillation). Patients with spontaneous echo contrast had a significantly larger left atrial diameter and a greater incidence of both left atrial thrombi and a history of arterial embolic episodes than did patients without spontaneous echo contrast. Association between spontaneous echo contrast and left atrial thrombi and a history of arterial embolization (considered individually or in combination) showed a high sensitivity and negative predictive value. It is concluded that spontaneous echo contrast is a helpful finding for identification of an increased thromboembolic risk in patients with mitral stenosis and after mitral valve replacement.

Impending paradoxical embolism from atrial thrombus: correct diagnosis by transesophageal echocardiography and prevention by surgery.

During recovery from a posterolateral myocardial infarction, a 56 year old patient developed signs of deep vein thrombophlebitis and subsequently of pulmonary embolism. After conventional echocardiography showed masses in both atria, transesophageal two-dimensional echocardiography clearly revealed an elongated mass overriding an atrial septal defect. Impending paradoxical embolism was confirmed at surgery.

Incidence of ventricular arrhythmias during transient myocardial ischemia in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

To determine the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias related to episodes of transient myocardial ischemia during ambulatory electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring, 97 patients with stable angina pectoris, angiographically proved coronary artery disease and an abnormal exercise test were studied. A total of 573 episodes with ST segment depression were documented: in 118 episodes (21%) the patients were symptomatic and in 455 (79%) they remained asymptomatic. Ventricular arrhythmias (greater than 5 premature ventricular beats/min, bigeminy, couplets or salvos of premature ventricular beats) occurred during 27 (5%) ischemic episodes in a subset of 10 patients (10%) (group A). The other 87 patients (90%) (group B) showed exclusively ischemic episodes without ventricular arrhythmias. Comparison of patients in group A and group B showed no differences in hemodynamic, angiographic, exercise testing and ambulatory ECG monitoring data. Ischemic episodes with and without ventricular arrhythmias showed a similar duration and amplitude of ST segment depression and a comparable heart rate at the onset of ischemia. Both types of ischemic episodes, with and without arrhythmias, occurred predominantly during the morning hours between 6:00 AM and noon, and both types remained asymptomatic to within similar percentages. The data demonstrate that ventricular arrhythmias are related to transient myocardial ischemia in only a few patients with stable angina pectoris; these arrhythmias are related neither to the degree of ischemia during ambulatory ECG monitoring nor to the occurrence of anginal symptoms.

Amlodipine reduces transient myocardial ischemia in patients with coronary artery disease: double-blind Circadian Anti-Ischemia Program in Europe (CAPE Trial).

OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to determine the effect of the once-daily calcium channel blocking agent amlodipine (half-life 35 to 50 h) on the circadian pattern of myocardial ischemia in patients with chronic stable angina. BACKGROUND: Myocardial ischemia during normal daily life, both symptomatic and asymptomatic, has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and the circadian pattern parallels that for myocardial infarction and sudden death. METHODS: The Circadian Anti-Ischemia Program in Europe (CAPE) was a large, 10-week international (63 sites), double-blind, parallel study. After a 2-week, single-blind placebo phase, during which stable doses of antianginal treatment were maintained (beta-adrenergic blocking agents in 65% of patients), patients with chronic stable angina with at least three attacks of angina per week, with at least four ischemic episodes or > or = 20 min of ST segment depression in 48 h of Holter monitoring, were randomized to receive treatment with either 5 mg/day of amlodipine or placebo (2:1 randomization). The dose was increased to 10 mg/day after 4 weeks. During week 7 of treatment, 48-h ambulatory ECG monitoring was repeated. RESULTS: Three hundred fifteen of 1,160 patients screened were eligible, and 250 had complete evaluable data. Compared with placebo, amlodipine significantly reduced both the frequency of ST segment depression episodes (60% for amlodipine vs. 44% for placebo, p = 0.025) and total integrated ST ischemic area (62% mm-min vs. 50% mm-min, p = 0.042). Amlodipine reduced ischemia over the 24 h with the intrinsic circadian pattern maintained. In addition, diary data showed a significant reduction in angina (70% for amlodipine vs. 44% for placebo, p = 0.0001) and in nitroglycerin consumption (67% vs. 22%, respectively, p = 0.0006). Amlodipine and placebo demonstrated similar safety profiles (adverse events 17.3% for amlodipine and 13.3% for placebo; discontinuation rates due to adverse events were 2% vs. 4.4%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Once-daily amlodipine, when added to background treatment, significantly reduced both symptomatic and asymptomatic ischemic events over 24 h in patients with chronic stable angina.

Late increase in luminal diameter of aortocoronary venous bypass grafts associated with an increase in the vascular region under supply.

In a previous study, a significant inverse relation was found between the luminal size of aortocoronary venous bypass grafts and the vascular resistance of the coronary region that was perfused by the bypass graft in late stages after bypass surgery. This observation suggested that changes in the graft-dependent vascular area could influence the luminal size of the vein graft, even when they occurred several years after operation. Whereas it is well established today that aortocoronary vein grafts often decrease in luminal diameter after implantation, an increase in the bypass lumen has so far not been reported. Therefore, changes in luminal diameter of 27 vein grafts in 21 patients who underwent at least two postoperative angiographic studies (first study 8 +/- 5 months after surgery, second study 58 +/- 32 months after surgery) were compared with the size of the vascular region supplied by the bypass. The graft diameter was found to be unchanged between the two studies (3.3 +/- 0.6 versus 3.4 +/- 0.7 mm, p = NS) when the dependent vascular area was unchanged. A significant increase in graft diameter from 2.8 +/- 0.8 to 3.9 +/- 0.9 mm (p less than 0.001) was observed in nine patients in whom the area of perfusion had increased between the two studies because of the development of occlusion or obstruction of major coronary branches that were now perfused from the grafted vessel by way of collateral vessels. These data support the contention that the luminal size of aortocoronary vein grafts can adapt to the needs of the dependent myocardial vascular region even late after operation rather than being the result of a nonreversible degenerative process as commonly assumed.

Role of thrombolysis and thrombin in patients with acute coronary occlusion during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

In a series of 447 patients with single vessel angioplasty, 27 (6.0%) had acute thrombotic occlusion early after the procedure. They were treated with combined intracoronary (20 mg)/intravenous (50 mg) thrombolysis with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) and repeat mild balloon inflations. Reopening of the vessel was achieved in 22 patients (81.5%). Follow-up coronary angiography 24 to 36 h later revealed reocclusion in 12 patients (54.5%). Thrombin levels measured as thrombin-antithrombin-III complex in patients with successful thrombolysis and persistent patency decreased from 8.5 +/- 11.4 micrograms/liter at baseline to 3.5 +/- 1.4 micrograms/liter 120 min after the start of thrombolysis; these levels increased from 9.4 +/- 15.0 micrograms/liter at baseline to 15.7 +/- 13.5 micrograms/liter 120 min after the start of thrombolysis in the patients with unsuccessful thrombolysis or early reocclusion (p less than 0.05). When a borderline value for thrombin-antithrombin-III complex level of 6 micrograms/liter was selected to separate the two groups of patients, patients with an unfavorable clinical course were identified 120 min after the start of thrombolysis by levels greater than 6 micrograms/liter (sensitivity 100%, specificity 92.8%). Thus, after abrupt thrombotic vessel closure during coronary angioplasty, the short-term results of thrombolysis seem to be governed by the release of thrombin. In two thirds of patients, however, the thrombin release cannot be suppressed by concomitant aspirin and heparin therapy. Even after successful reopening of the vessel these patients should therefore undergo immediate aortocoronary bypass grafting.

Impaired coronary dilator responses to substance P and impaired flow-dependent dilator responses in heart transplant patients with graft vasculopathy.

OBJECTIVES: Because pathologic mechanisms for transplant vasculopathy are still uncertain, we tested the hypothesis that endothelial function, in terms of the release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF), is impaired in patients with evidence of angiographic transplant vasculopathy. BACKGROUND: The long-term prognosis after heart transplantation is mainly determined by the development of transplant vasculopathy. METHODS: The study included 23 patients undergoing diagnostic cardiac catheterization approximately 40 months after heart transplantation. Patients were classified into those with (n = 8) and those without (n = 15) angiographic evidence of transplant vasculopathy. Coronary flow velocity (by intravascular Doppler echocardiography) and epicardial coronary diameter (by quantitative angiography) were determined after intracoronary bolus injections (1 ml) of the endothelium-dependent dilator substance P (20 pmol) and the endothelium-independent dilators nitroglycerin (0.1 mg) and papaverine (8 mg). Substances were injected through the lumen of the Doppler catheter, which was placed into the midportion of the left anterior descending artery. RESULTS: Increases in blood flow velocity in response to substance P were significantly less in patients with than in patients without evidence of transplant vasculopathy. In addition, flow-mediated dilation of epicardial coronary arteries in response to papaverine was abolished in patients with such evidence. Vasodilation of epicardial coronary arteries in response to nitroglycerin and increases in flow velocity in response to papaverine were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that transplant vasculopathy in heart transplant patients is associated with endothelial dysfunction (that is, impaired EDRF-mediated vasodilation). Furthermore, responsiveness of epicardial arteries to increased flow appears to be abolished in patients with evidence of transplant vasculopathy. These abnormal vascular functions may contribute to the pathogenesis of transplant vasculopathy and its vascular complications.

Sixty-minute alteplase protocol: a new accelerated recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator regimen for thrombolysis in acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to design and evaluate a new and easily administered recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) regimen for thrombolysis in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) based on established pharmacokinetic data that improve the reperfusion success rate. BACKGROUND: Rapid restoration of Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) grade 3 flow is a primary predictor of mortality after thrombolysis in AMI. However, TIMI grade 3 patency rates 90 min into thrombolysis of only 50% to 60% indicate an obvious need for improved thrombolytic regimens. METHODS: Pharmacokinetic simulations were performed to design a new rt-PA regimen. We aimed for a plateau tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) plasma level similar to that of the first plateau of the Neuhaus regimen. These aims were achieved with a 20-mg rt-PA intravenous (i.v.) bolus followed by an 80-mg i.v. infusion over 60 min (regimen A). This regimen was tested in a consecutive comparative trial in 80 patients versus 2.25 10(6) IU of streptokinase/60 min (B), and 70 mg (C) or 100 mg (D) of rt-PA over 90 min. Subsequently, a confirmation trial of regimen A in 254 consecutive patients was performed with angiographic assessment by independent investigators of patency at 90 min. RESULTS: The comparative phase of the trial yielded, respectively, TIMI grade 3 and total patency (TIMI grades 2 and 3) of 80% and 85% (regimen A), 35% and 50% (B), 50% and 55% (C) and 60% and 70% (D). In the confirmation phase of the trial, regimen A yielded 81.1% TIMI grade 3 and 87.0% total patency. At follow-up angiography 7 (4.1%) of 169 vessels had reoccluded. In-hospital mortality rate was 1.2%. Nadir levels of fibrinogen, plasminogen and alpha2-antiplasmin were 3.6 +/- 0.8 mg/ml, 60 +/- 21% and 42 +/- 16%, respectively (mean +/- SD). Fifty-seven patients (22.4%) suffered from bleeding; 3.5% needed blood transfusions. CONCLUSIONS: The 60-min alteplase thrombolysis in AMI protocol achieved a TIMI grade 3 patency rate of 81.1% at 90 min with no indication of an increased bleeding hazard; it was associated with a 1.2% overall mortality rate. These results are substantially better than those reported from all currently utilized regimens. Head to head comparison with established thrombolytic regimens in a large-scale randomized trial is warranted.

Progression of coronary artery disease is dependent on anatomic location and diameter. The INTACT investigators.

OBJECTIVES: This study represents the first prospective, quantitative analysis of the association of progression of coronary atherosclerosis with anatomic site and diameter. BACKGROUND: The progressive course of coronary artery disease has been documented in many angiographic follow-up trials. METHODS: The data of 348 patients with coronary artery disease from the International Nifedipine Trial on Antiatherosclerotic Therapy (INTACT) were reviewed. Standardized coronary angiograms were taken 3 years apart and were analyzed quantitatively. The coronary tree was subdivided into 25 segments. The progression of 1,063 preexisting coronary stenoses and the appearance of 247 newly formed stenoses was assessed in relation to the mean diameter of segments (< 2 mm, 2 to 3 mm, > 3 mm) and to their position in the coronary tree (proximal, mid, distal) and in the three major coronary arteries. RESULTS: Decreases in the minimal diameter of preexisting stenoses were largest in segments that were > 3 mm in diameter (mean +/- SD 0.23 +/- 0.5 mm vs. 0.10 +/- 0.4 mm and 0.02 +/- 0.3 mm, p < 0.001), in a proximal position (0.14 +/- 0.5 mm vs. 0.09 +/- 0.4 mm and 0.06 +/- 0.3 mm, p = 0.081) and in the right coronary artery (0.14 +/- 0.4 mm vs. 0.07 +/- 0.4 mm and 0.07 +/- 0.3 mm, p < 0.01). Changes in percent diameter stenosis of preexisting stenoses were lowest in segments that were < 2 mm in diameter and in a distal position (p = NS). The number of new stenoses/segment was lowest in segments that were < 2 mm in diameter (44 of 1,756 vs. 139 of 1,967 and 64 of 1,125, p < 0.001) and in a distal position (77 of 2,370 vs. 84 of 1,193 and 86 of 1,285, p < 0.001) and was highest in segments of the right coronary artery (100 of 1,546 vs. 66 of 1,496 and 72 of 1,492, p = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: Progression of coronary artery disease occurs most frequently in coronary segments that are > 2 mm in diameter, in a proximal or midartery position and in the right coronary artery.

Endothelium independent relaxation of human coronary arteries by 17 beta-oestradiol in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: There is accumulating evidence that oestrogen replacement therapy protects against the development of coronary atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction in postmenopausal women. The mechanism of this protective effect is uncertain. The aim of this study was to measure the effects of 17 beta-oestradiol on human epicardial coronary artery tone. METHODS: Coronary artery rings were obtained from explanted hearts during cardiac transplantation. The rings were suspended in organ baths for isometric tension measurements. The rings were precontracted with prostaglandin F2 alpha, and were then exposed to either 17 beta-oestradiol (0.3 nM-3 microM) or solvent control (0.2% ethanol v/v). In some rings, cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate and cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate content were measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: 17 beta-Oestradiol induced a significant relaxation [maximum effect: 84(SD 18)%]. The onset of the relaxant effect occurred within 5 min, and was maximal within 40 min. The relaxation in response to 3 microM 17 beta-oestradiol was of similar magnitude in rings with and without intact endothelium. The maximum relaxation induced by 3 microM 17 beta-oestradiol was greater in arteries from hearts obtained from women than in those obtained from men [-100.0(3.0)% v -77.5(17.6)%, respectively]. The exposure of rings to 3 microM 17 beta-oestradiol for 30 min resulted in a significant increase in both cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP content, by 88% and 182%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: 17 beta-Oestradiol produced an endothelium independent relaxation of precontracted human coronary arteries in vitro, and this effect was associated with an increase in both cyclic AMP and the cyclic GMP content. This direct relaxant effect of oestrogens on coronary arteries may contribute to the beneficial effects of oestrogen replacement therapy in postmenopausal women.

Unstable angina in 1998.

Unstable angina (UA) and non-Q-wave myocardial infarction (NQWMI) are acute coronary syndromes with repeated, severe ischemic events of short duration. These events are mainly due to a rapid decrease in coronary blood flow, and to a rapid, reversible reduction of the arterial lumen in localized areas. Episodes often are a mixture of thrombus formation due to platelet aggregation and localized spasm, leading to vasoconstriction. Due to the short interval (minutes) of ischemic events, usually no or minimal irreversible myocardial damage takes place. The main goal of treatment is to prevent progression of this unstable situation into a myocardial infarction. In the majority of cases, this is possible with adequate treatment of vasodilatory substances like nitrates, long-acting dihydropyridines like amlodipine and betablockers. In addition heparin and particular antiaggregatory drugs inhibiting platelet activation by blocking the GPIIb/IIIa receptor, the common pathway for platelet aggregation, are applied to prevent thrombus formation. This, in the majority of cases allows a passivation of the acute situation, leaving time to undertake possible further steps as coronary angiography, eventually followed by PTCA of the culprit lesion or, in advanced cases of CAD, by CABG with complete revascularization.