Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition but not angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonism augments coronary release of tissue plasminogen activator in hypertensive patients.

Objectives: We compared the effects of perindopril and losartan on endothelium-dependent coronary vasomotor and fibrinolytic function.

Background: The renin-angiotensin system regulates the vascular fibrinolytic balance. However, the effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonists on coronary fibrinolytic function have not been compared in hypertensive patients.

Coronary endothelium-dependent and independent vasomotor responses in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

It is well known that coronary flow reserve (CFR) is decreased in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), but it is unclear whether coronary endothelial function is impaired. Coronary endothelial function and CFR in the coronary macro- and microcirculation was evaluated in 14 patients with HCM and 11 control subjects. Acetylcholine (ACh), bradykinin (BK) and papaverine were infused into the left coronary artery.

Long-term outcome of primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for low-risk acute myocardial infarction in patients older than 80 years: a single-center, open, randomized trial.

Background: Although coronary reperfusion therapy with thrombolytic agents or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) immediately after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has survival benefits for younger patients, the effect of coronary reperfusion therapy for very elderly (aged 80 years and older) patients with AMI remains controversial.

Methods And Results: We studied 120 patients aged 80 years and older at relatively low risk with AMI. The patients were randomized into a primary PTCA group (n = 61) or a "conservative" no-PTCA group (n = 59).