Assessment of coronary vasomotor responses to acetylcholine in German and Japanese patients with epicardial coronary spasm-more similarities than differences?

Coronary spasm is an established cause for angina pectoris. Ethnic differences have been suggested among Asian compared to Caucasian patients regarding prevalence, gender distribution, and angiographic patterns of coronary spasm. The aim of this study was to compare contemporary German and Japanese patients with coronary spasm.

Clinical characteristics and long-term prognosis of contemporary patients with vasospastic angina: Ethnic differences detected in an international comparative study.

Background: Possible ethnic differences in clinical characteristics and long-term prognosis of contemporary patients with vasospastic angina (VSA) remain to be elucidated.

Methods And Results: The Japanese Coronary Spasm Association (JCSA) conducted an international, prospective, and multicenter registry study for VSA patients. A total of 1457 VSA patients (Japanese/Caucasians, 1339/118) were enrolled based on the same diagnostic criteria.

Prognostic impacts of Rho-kinase activity in circulating leucocytes in patients with vasospastic angina.

Aims: Rho-kinase activity in circulating leucocytes is a useful biomarker for diagnosis and disease activity assessment of vasospastic angina (VSA). The present study aimed to examine the long-term prognostic impact of Rho-kinase activity in circulating leucocytes in VSA patients.

Methods And Results: We prospectively enrolled 174 consecutive patients with VSA and 50 non-VSA patients, in whom we measured Rho-kinase activity in circulating leucocytes, and they were followed for a median of 16 months.

Plasma concentration of serotonin is a novel biomarker for coronary microvascular dysfunction in patients with suspected angina and unobstructive coronary arteries.

Aims: Although the importance of coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) has been emerging, reliable biomarkers for CMD remain to be developed. We examined the potential usefulness of plasma concentration of serotonin to diagnose CMD in patients with suspected angina and unobstructive coronary arteries.

Methods And Results: We enrolled 198 consecutive patients (M/F 116/82, 60.

Prognostic impact of chronic nitrate therapy in patients with vasospastic angina: multicentre registry study of the Japanese coronary spasm association.

Aims: Although nitrates are widely used as a concomitant therapy with calcium channel blockers (CCBs) for vasospastic angina (VSA), their prognostic contribution remains unclear. The present study aimed to examine the prognostic impact of chronic nitrate therapy in patients with VSA.

Methods And Results: A total of 1429 VSA patients (median 66 years; male/female, 1090/339) were enrolled.