Endothelin-1 release from atherosclerotic plaque after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in stable angina pectoris and single-vessel coronary artery disease

To assess the effects of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty on endothelin-l (ET-1) release, we assessed ET-1 concentrations at different s ites of the coronary circulation in patients submitted to elective procedur es. ET-I levels immediately downstream from the plaque and ET-1 aortocorona ry gradient increased significantly after the procedure, which was related to mechanical wall stress in patients only receiving balloons, but not in t hose undergoing stent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. No ch anges were found in the coronary sinus; these results suggest ET-1 release from the plaque rather than an ischemia/reperfusion-related production from the distal myocardium.