study of biogenic amines in central aortic and coronary sinus blood in ischemic heart disease

ABSTRACT

We studied aortic and coronary sinus epinephrine [E], nor-epinephrine [NE], dopamine [DA] and serotonin [5-HT] in fourteen patients with stable angina [SA], six patients with vasospastic angina [VA] and six control subjects [C]. SA patients were studied at rest and during incremental atrial pacing. VA patients were studied at rest and during various stages of vasospasm. E and DA were same in SA, VA and C subjects and did not rise with pacing or during vasospasm. NE was also same in all three subgroups but increased during vasospasm [p<0.01] but not with atrial pacing. 5-HT was, however, higher in SA and VA patients as compared to C subjects [p<0.05] and increased further during vasospasm [p<0.01] but not with atrial pacing. This increase in NE and 5-lIT during vasospasm was seen before EKG changes manifested or angina occurred. Thus NE and 5-HT play an important causative role in vasospasm, and are not released as a secondary phenomenon in angina. Serotonin is elevated even during resting state in SA and VA. The role of E and DA could not be established