PLASMA ENDOTHELIN-1 CONCENTRATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH CORONARY-ARTERY DISEASE DURING STRESS TEST BEFORE AND AFTER NISOLDIPINE ADMINISTRATION

The purpose of this study was to determine the response of plasma leve ls of endothelin-1 (ET-1) to dynamic exercise in patients with coronar y artery disease and chronic stable angina pectoris and positive exerc ise tolerance test, before and after treatment with the calcium antago nist nisoldipine (20 mg/day buccally for 7 days). Plasma ET-1 levels a nd hemodynamic parameters (blood pressure and heart rate) were determi ned at rest, at peak exercise and recovery. All patients had a positiv e electrically and clinically stress test and all of the eight patient s did not developed ECG signs of myocardial ischemia after nisoldipine administration. Before nisoldipine treatment the plasma ET-1 levels d id not increase significantly during exercise. After nisoldipine treat ment the plasma ET-1 levels were significantly lower at rest and durin g exercise compared with those revealed before calcium antagonist trea tment. In conclusion our results suggest that in patients with chronic stable pectoris the treatment with calcium antagonist nisoldipine red uced ischemia and plasma ET-1 levels.