Plasma endothelin-1 elevation associated with alcohol-induced variant angina

Vasospastic angina as a result of alcohol ingestion has been reported, but the mechanism of alcohol-induced coronary artery spasm is presently unknown . This report presents 2 cases of alcohol-induced variant angina (VA) with elevated levels of plasma endothelin-l after alcohol ingestion. In case 1 , the plasma endothelin-1 concentration was 3.15 pg/ml before drinking (norm al <2.30pg/ml) and increased to 4.09 pg/ml when measured 5 h after alcohol ingestion. After 2 months of abstinence, the plasma endothelin-l concentrat ion was 2.88 pg/ml and 6 months after abstinence, it decreased to 2.03 pg/m l (normal range. In case 2, the plasma endothelin- I concentration was 2.44 pg/ml before drinking and increased to 4.36 pg/ml when measured 5 h after alcohol ingestion. After 2 months of abstinence, the plasma endothelin- 1 c oncentration was 3.04 pg/ml and 6 months after abstinence, it decreased to 2.09pg/ml (normal range). These 2 cases suggest that a relationship may exi st between alcohol-induced VA and elevation in the plasma endothelin-l conc entration after alcohol ingestion.