Thrombolysis plus heparin versus heparin alone in the acute phases of unstable angina: preliminary findings

Abstract Several studies have shown conflicting effects of thrombolysis in patients with unstable angina. In these trials the time between presentation with chest pain and randomization was long (12 hours to 3 days). This study compared thrombolysis and heparin with heparin-alone treatment in patients in the acute phase of unstable angina. One hundred fifty-three consecutive patients hospitalized with chest pain at rest (first episode) lasting >5 minutes but P = 0.013). Data suggest that thrombolysis plus heparin produces faster clinical stabilization than heparin alone in patients treated during the acute phase of unstable angina.

Effects of captopril on plasma endothelin-1 during thrombolysis: Preliminary findings

Captopril does not affect plasma endothelin-1 during thrombolysis and reperfusion.

Studies showed that endothelin-1 (ET-1) was increased in the acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Experimental studies reported that captopril was able to reduce ET-1 secretion, and that ET-1 was increased during reperfusion. This study was aimed to verify if captopril was able to reduce plasma ET-1 during thrombolysis in AMI. Seventy-three patients, hospitalized for suspected AMI within 4 h from the onset of symptoms suitable for thrombolysis (1st episode), Killip class 1-2, were randomized (double blind) into two groups: group 1 (37 pts), 8 F/29 M, received captopril, 6.25 mg, orally 15 min before thrombolysis. Group 2: (36 pts) 8 F/28 M, received placebo before thrombolysis. All patients m…

Does plasma endothelin during thrombolysis depend on infarct size? A pilot study

Dear Sir, Endothelin is a recently discovered endotheliumderived vasoconstrictive peptide [1]. Endothelin's actions are altered in various models of cardiac injury [2]. Furthermore, it has been shown that endothelin is increased during reperfusion [2]. Studies have shown a significant increase in endothelin-1 (ET-1) in the early phases of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) [3-8]. In addition, a significant inverse relation between ventricular function and plasma ET-1 has been shown [6]. These data suggest that ET-1 may provide a marker of endothelial injury in the early phases of coronary ischemia or may even contribute to alterations…