EFFECT OF ACADESINE ON MYOCARDIAL-ISCHEMIA IN PATIENTS WITH CORONARY-ARTERY DISEASE

Acadesine, an adenosine regulating agent, attenuates the adverse effec ts of ischaemia on ventricular function in animals. This study examine d its influence on pacing-induced ischaemia in 47 patients undergoing coronary angiography. After 15 min of recovery from control pacing, an infusion of acadesine (5, 10, 20, 50 mg/kg i.v.) was commenced and af ter a further 15 min the protocol was repeated with the infusion conti nued. At higher doses, minor beneficial effects on ejection fraction a nd myocardial lactate metabolism were observed. Haemodynamics were una ffected. Systemic lactate rose in relation to acadesine, up to 60% (P < 0.001 versus placebo). The data may indicate that acadesine stimulat es anaerobic glycolysis in man. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.