Efficacy and tolerability of trimetazidine in stable angina: a meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, controlled trials

Myocardial energy balance and metabolism as causes of myocardial ischemia

The current approach to myocardial ischemia has been influenced by the misconception of a close link between ischemia and coronary atherosclerotic obstructions. Recent guidelines have, however, acknowledged the multifactorial nature of this condition, with an identifiable cause present in less than half of angina patients, and a large fraction with angina of unknown origin. Because of this background, focusing on cardiac energy metabolim offers new opportunities to manage myocardial ischemia even when its cause is unknown.

Novel Therapeutic Targets for the Treatment of Right Ventricular Remodeling: Insights from the Pulmonary Artery Banding Model

Right ventricular (RV) function is the main determinant of the outcome of patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). RV dysfunction develops gradually and worsens progressively over the course of PH, resulting in RV failure and premature death. Currently, approved therapies for the treatment of left ventricular failure are not established for the RV. Furthermore, the direct effects of specific vasoactive drugs for treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH, Group 1 of PH) on RV are not fully investigated. Pulmonary artery banding (PAB) allows to study the pathogenesis of RV failure solely, thereby testing potential therapies independently of pulmonary vascular changes. This review aims to discuss recent studies of the mechanisms of RV remodeling and RV-directed therapies based on the PAB model.

Relief of Ischemia in Ischemic Cardiomyopathy

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

Ischemic heart disease is among the most common causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In its stable manifestation, obstructing coronary artery stenoses prevent myocardial blood flow from matching metabolic needs of the heart under exercise conditions, which manifests clinically as dyspnea or chest pain. Prolonged bouts of ischemia may result in permanent myocardial dysfunction, heart failure, and eventually reduced survival. The aim of the present work is to review currently available approaches to provide relief of ischemia in stable coronary artery disease (CAD).

RECENT FINDINGS

Several pharmacological and interventional approaches have proven effectiveness in reducing the burden of ischemia in stable CAD and allow for symptom control and quality of life improvement. However, substantial evidence in favor of improved survival with ischemia relief is lacking, and recently published randomized controlled trial suggests that only selected groups of patients may substantially benefit from this approach. Pharmacological treatments aimed at reducing ischemia were shown to significantly reduce ischemic symptoms but failed to provide prognostic benefit. Myocardial revascularization is able to re-establish adequate coronary artery flow and was shown to improve survival in selected groups of patients, i.e., those with significant left main CAD or severe left ventricular dysfunction in multivessel CAD. Outside the previously mentioned categories, revascularization appears to improve symptoms control over medical therapy, but does not confer prognostic advantage. More studies are needed to elucidate the role of systematic invasive functional testing to identify individuals more likely to benefit from revascularization and to evaluate the prognostic role of chronic total occlusion recanalization.

Treatment of coronary microvascular dysfunction

Contemporary data indicate that patients with signs and symptoms of ischaemia and non-obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA) often have coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) with elevated risk for adverse outcomes. Coronary endothelial (constriction with acetylcholine) and/or microvascular (limited coronary flow reserve with adenosine) dysfunction are well-documented, and extensive non-obstructive atherosclerosis is often present. Despite these data, patients with INOCA currently remain under-treated, in part, because existing management guidelines do not address this large, mostly female population due to the absence of evidence-based data. Relatively small sample-sized, short-term pilot studies of symptomatic mostly women, with INOCA, using intense medical therapies targeting endothelial, microvascular, and/or atherosclerosis mechanisms suggest symptom, ischaemia, and coronary vascular functional improvement, however, randomized, controlled outcome trials testing treatment strategies have not been completed. We review evidence regarding CMD pharmacotherapy. Potent statins in combination with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I) or receptor blockers if intolerant, at maximally tolerated doses appear to improve angina, stress testing, myocardial perfusion, coronary endothelial function, and microvascular function. The Coronary Microvascular Angina trial supports invasive diagnostic testing with stratified therapy as an approach to improve symptoms and quality of life. The WARRIOR trial is testing intense medical therapy of high-intensity statin, maximally tolerated ACE-I plus aspirin on longer-term outcomes to provide evidence for guidelines. Novel treatments and those under development appear promising as the basis for future trial planning.

Trimetazidine in cardiovascular medicine

Abnormalities of myocardial energy metabolism appear as a common background of the two major cardiac disorders: ischemic heart disease (IHD) and heart failure (HF). Myocardial ischemia has been recently conceived as a multifaceted syndrome that can be precipitated by a number of mechanisms including metabolic abnormalities. HF is a progressive disorder characterised by a complex interaction of haemodynamic, neurohormonal and metabolic disturbances. HF may further promote metabolic changes, generating a vicious cycle. Thus, targeting cardiac metabolism in IHD patients may prevent the deterioration of left ventricular function, stopping the progression to HF. For these reasons, several studies have explored the potential benefits of trimetazidine (TMZ), an inhibitor of free fatty acids oxidation that shifts cardiac and muscle metabolism to glucose utilization. Because of its mechanism of action, TMZ has been found to provide a cardioprotective effect in patients with angina, diabetes mellitus, and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, and those undergoing revascularization procedures, without relevant side effects. In addition, the lack of interference with heart rate, arterial pressure, and most of frequent comorbidities, makes TMZ an attractive option for patients and clinicians as well. The impact of TMZ on long term mortality and morbidity in ischemic syndromes and in heart failure need to be conclusively confirmed in properly designed RCT.

Antianginal Therapy for Stable Ischemic Heart Disease

Chronic angina pectoris is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality, especially if treated suboptimally. For many patients, aggressive pharmacologic intervention is necessary in order to alleviate anginal symptoms. The optimal treatment of stable ischemic heart disease (SIHD) should be the prevention of angina and ischemia, with the goal of maximizing both quality and quantity of life. In addition to effective risk factor modification with lifestyle changes, intensive pharmacologic secondary prevention is the therapeutic cornerstone in managing patients with SIHD. Current guidelines recommend a multifaceted therapeutic approach with β-blockers as first-line treatment. Another important pharmacologic intervention for managing SIHD is nitrates. Nitrates can provide both relief of acute angina and can be used prophylactically before exposure to known triggers of myocardial ischemia to prevent angina. Additional therapeutic options include calcium channel blockers and ranolazine, an inhibitor of the late inward sodium current, that can be used alone or in addition to nitrates or β-blockers when these agents fail to alleviate symptoms. Ranolazine appears to be particularly effective for patients with microvascular angina and endothelial dysfunction. In addition, certain antianginal therapies are approved in Europe and have been shown to improve symptoms, including ivabradine, nicorandil, and trimetazidine; however, these have yet to be approved in the United States. Ultimately, there are several different medications available to the physician for managing the patient with SIHD having chronic angina, when either used alone or in combination. The purpose of this review is to highlight the most important therapeutic approaches to optimizing contemporary treatment in response to individual patient needs.

WITHDRAWN: Trimetazidine for stable angina

BACKGROUND

Patients with stable angina not controlled by monotherapy with nitrates, beta blockers, or calcium channel blockers are often treated with combinations of these drugs. There may be adverse effects from, or contraindications to, the use of combinations. In low risk groups, medical treatment appears to be as good an option as percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in terms of averting myocardial infarction, death, or subsequent revascularization. Revascularization procedures are too costly or inaccessible for many patients in developing countries therefore effective and safe medical treatment is needed. Trimetazidine is a less well known anti-anginal drug that controls myocardial ischaemia through intracellular metabolic changes. Trimetazidine has been reported, in some studies, to be better tolerated than combined anti-anginal therapy; however it is not considered in published guidelines.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the efficacy and tolerability of trimetazidine in patients with stable angina.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS and SCISEARCH, without language restriction, from inception to October 2003. Experts in the field were contacted to locate unpublished studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised studies comparing trimetazidine with placebo, or other anti-angina drug in adults with stable angina.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two reviewers independently applied the inclusion criteria, assessed trial quality and extracted data.

MAIN RESULTS

Twenty-three studies (1378 patients) met the inclusion criteria. There was a paucity of information about mortality, cardiovascular events and quality of life. Trimetazidine, compared with placebo, reduced the number of weekly angina attacks ( mean difference -1.44, 95% CI -2.10 to -0.79; P < 0.0001), reduced weekly nitroglycerin tablet consumption (95% CI -1.47 to -2.20, -0.73; P < 0.0001) and improved exercise time to 1 mm segment depression (P = 0.0002). Four small trials (263 patients) compared trimetazidine against other anti-anginal agents. One favoured trimetazidine over nitrates. Three tended to favour alternative regimens but with confidence intervals consistent with both major increases and decreases in frequency of angina episodes. In this subgroup, adverse events were considered in 5 trials (448 patients) and totals of 2 versus 12 drop outs due to adverse events were observed in the trimetazidine and alternative regimens respectively, but this was mostly driven by a single trial.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Trimetazidine is effective in the treatment of stable angina compared with placebo, alone or combined with conventional anti-anginal agents. Trimetazidine may result in fewer dropouts due to adverse events. Large, long term trials comparing trimetazidine with other anti-anginal drugs assessing clinically relevant important outcomes are required to establish its role in clinical management.

Newer Therapies for Management of Stable Ischemic Heart Disease With Focus on Refractory Angina

Ischemic heart disease remains a major public health problem nationally and internationally. Stable ischemic heart disease (SIHD) is one of the clinical manifestations of ischemic heart disease and is generally characterized by episodes of reversible myocardial demand/supply mismatch, related to ischemia or hypoxia, which are usually inducible by exercise, emotion, or other stress and reproducible-but which may also be occurring spontaneously. Improvements in the treatment of acute coronary syndromes along with increasing prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, including diabetes and obesity, have led to increasing population of patients with SIHD. A significant number of these continue to have severe angina despite medical management and revascularization procedures performed and may progress to refractory angina. This article reviews the newer therapies in the treatment of SIHD with special focus in treating patients with refractory angina.

Metabolic Modulators for Chronic Cardiac Ischemia

Many patients with ischemic heart disease continue to experience anginal symptoms despite revascularization and treatment with antianginal medications. The effectiveness of current anti-ischemic medications is limited by their hemodynamic side effects, such as hypotension and bradycardia, which result in compromised organ perfusion. In this article, we review five novel agents (ranolazine, trimetazidine, L-carnitine, ribose, and dichloroacetate) under investigation for treatment of ischemic heart disease that work by enhancing the efficiency of the myocardium, rather than decreasing its work. This new paradigm promises to eliminate these side effects.

Non-haemodynamic anti-anginal agents in the management of patients with stable coronary artery disease and diabetes: A review of the evidence

Patients with coronary artery disease and concomitant diabetes mellitus tend to have more extensive vessel disease than non-diabetes mellitus coronary artery disease patients, are at high risk of adverse cardiovascular events and suffer from a great anginal burden. Very few trials have specifically addressed the issue of optimal anti-anginal therapy in coronary artery disease patients who also have diabetes mellitus. Among 'classical' anti-anginal agents, recent guidelines do not specifically recommend any molecule over others; however, European Society of Cardiology guidelines acknowledge that favourable data in patients with concomitant diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease are available for trimetazidine and ranolazine, two anti-anginal agents with a non-haemodynamic mechanism of action. The aim of this article is to review available evidence supporting the anti-anginal efficacy of these two drugs in the difficult-to-treat population of diabetes mellitus patients, including their effects on glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), a measure of medium-term glycaemic control. Although direct head-to-head comparisons have not been performed, available evidence favours ranolazine as an effective anti-anginal agent over trimetazidine in this population. In addition, ranolazine lowers HbA1c, indicating that it may improve glycaemic control in patients with diabetes mellitus. Conversely, scanty data are available on the metabolic effects of trimetazidine in this cohort of patients. Thus, ranolazine may represent a valuable therapeutic option in stable coronary artery disease patients with diabetes mellitus.

Efficacy of Ligustrazine Injection as Adjunctive Therapy for Angina Pectoris: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

In the past decades, a large number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the efficacy of ligustrazine injection combined with conventional antianginal drugs for angina pectoris have been reported. However, these RCTs have not been evaluated in accordance with PRISMA systematic review standards. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ligustrazine injection as adjunctive therapy for angina pectoris.

Material/Methods

The databases PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library, Embase, Sino-Med, Wanfang Databases, Chinese Scientific Journal Database, Google Scholar, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and the Chinese Science Citation Database were searched for published RCTs. Meta-analysis was performed on the primary outcome measures, including the improvements of electrocardiography (ECG) and the reductions in angina symptoms. Sensitivity and subgroup analysis based on the M score (the refined Jadad scores) were also used to evaluate the effect of quality, sample size, and publication year of the included RCTs on the overall effect of ligustrazine injection.

Results

Eleven RCTs involving 870 patients with angina pectoris were selected in this study. Compared with conventional antianginal drugs alone, ligustrazine injection combined with antianginal drugs significantly increased the efficacy in symptom improvement (odds ratio [OR], 3.59; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.39 to 5.40) and in ECG improvement (OR, 3.42; 95% CI: 2.33 to 5.01). Sensitivity and subgroup analysis also confirmed that ligustrazine injection had better effect in the treatment of angina pectoris as adjunctive therapy.

Conclusions

The 11 eligible RCTs indicated that ligustrazine injection as adjunctive therapy was more effective than antianginal drugs alone. However, due to the low quality of included RCTs, more rigorously designed RCTs were still needed to verify the effects of ligustrazine injection as adjunctive therapy for angina pectoris.

Pharmacological and emerging therapies in the treatment of chronic angina

Chronic angina is a common manifestation of ischaemic heart disease. Medical treatments are the mainstay approach to reduce the occurrence of angina and improve patients' quality of life. This Series paper focuses on commonly used standard treatments (eg, nitrates, β blockers, and calcium-channel blockers), emerging anti-angina treatments (which are not available in all parts of the world), and experimental treatments. Although many emerging treatments are available, evidence is scarce about their ability to reduce angina and ischaemia.

Defining the role of trimetazidine in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders: some insights on its role in heart failure and peripheral artery disease

Trimetazidine is a cytoprotective drug whose cardiovascular effectiveness, especially in patients with stable ischemic heart disease, has been the source of much controversy in recent years; some have gone so far as to treat the medication as a ‘placebo drug’ whose new side effects, such as Parkinsonian symptoms, outweigh its benefits. This article is an attempt to present the recent key studies, including meta-analyses, on the use of trimetazidine in chronic heart failure, also in patients with diabetes mellitus and arrhythmia, as well as in peripheral artery disease. This paper also includes the most recent European Society of Cardiology guidelines, including those of 2013, on the use of trimetazidine in cardiovascular disease.

The Effectiveness of Preoperative Trimetazidine on Myocardial Preservation in Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a key and effective surgical treatment modality for coronary artery disease. Unfortunately, ischemia-reperfusion injury during and after CABG can lead to reversible and irreversible myocardial damage. Trimetazidine [1-(2,3,4-trimethoxybenzyl)piperazine dihydrochloride] is a metabolic anti-ischemic agent with demonstrated cardioprotective effects; however, its effects with respect to myocardial preservation in CABG patients remain unclear. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to investigate the effectiveness of myocardial preservation of preoperative trimetazidine therapy in CABG patients by assessing the postoperative levels of several blood-based biochemical markers of myocardial injury, including creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase-muscle and brain (CK-MB), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), troponin T (TnT) and troponin I (TnI). The RCTs were classified into two subgroup analyses by the timing of sample collection (either ≤12 or >12 h after CABG). Results: Six RCTs were finally included in the meta-analysis. The pooled effect sizes showed significantly lower postoperative levels of CK, CK-MB, TnT and TnI in the trimetazidine-treated CABG patients relative to control CABG patients. However, there were no significant differences in the postoperative CPK levels between trimetazidine-treated CABG patients relative to control CABG patients. In both the ≤12 and >12 h post-CABG subgroup analyses, significant differences in CK, CK-MB, TnT and TnI were detected between the trimetazidine-treated CABG patients relative to control CABG patients. Conclusions: Preoperative trimetazidine therapy appears to have a positive effect on myocardial preservation in CABG patients.

The effect of trimetazidine added to pharmacological treatment on all-cause mortality in patients with systolic heart failure

The anti-ischemic agent trimetazidine (TMZ) added to pharmacological treatment appears to have positive effects on cardiac parameters of patients with heart failure (HF) as a result of specific antioxidant properties.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to verify whether the marked improvement provided by TMZ in echocardiographic and clinical parameters was likely to translate into reduced all-cause mortality in systolic HF patients.

METHODS

Meta-analysis of available published prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) data (1967-2014) retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Collaboration.

RESULTS

A total of 326 patients from 3 RCTs were analyzed: 164 who received TMZ on top of pharmacological HF therapy and 162 controls. Study durations ranged from 12 to 48 months. The analysis had no publication bias and the studies were homogeneous (p = 0.442, I(2) = 0). The results show a significant effect of TMZ on the reduction of all-cause mortality (RR = 0.283, p < 0.0001). The rate of events attributable to the drug was lower with TMZ than it was among control patients.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis suggests that in patients with HF, TMZ given as an add-on therapy is likely to provide a protective effect, reduce all-cause mortality and increase event-free survival, and could be an effective and useful adjunct to our armamentarium for the treatment of HF patients.

Comparison of ranolazine and trimetazidine on glycemic status in diabetic patients with coronary artery disease - a randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Cardiovascular diseases have become the leading cause of death around the globe and diabetes mellitus (DM) is considered to be a coronary artery disease (CAD) risk equivalent. Ranolazine, an anti anginal drug has been found to reduce Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in diabetes patients with chronic angina. However the effect of another antianginal drug trimetazidine, on glycemic status is not clear.

AIM

To compare the effect of ranolazine and trimetazidine on glycemic status in diabetic patients with CAD.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

Patients diagnosed with CAD and diabetes mellitus attending Cardiology Out Patient Department (OPD), Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, India were recruited for this randomized open label parallel arm trial.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study conducted from January-2012 to April-2013 had 47 eligible patients diagnosed with CAD and diabetes mellitus. They were randomized to receive either ranolazine 500 mg BD or trimetazidine 35 mg BD for 12 weeks. HbA1c levels, fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipid profile, QT and QTc intervals were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Unpaired t-test was used to compare the baseline characteristics of between the groups while comparison within the groups were done using Paired t-test. Wilcoxon and Mann Whitney U-tests were used for non parametric data. Graph pad instat version-3 was used for statistical analysis. Values were expressed as mean ± SD. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

The study could not find any change in HbA1c levels in both ranolazine and trimetazidine groups. The adverse effects reported from patients on ranolazine include angina, constipation, postural hypotension, headache, dizziness, nausea and weakness while patients on trimetazidine complained of constipation, weakness, palpitations, angina, dizziness, nausea, dyspepsia, headache, gastric discomfort, joint pain, etc.

CONCLUSION

In patients with chronic angina and diabetes mellitus Ranolazine 500mg BD and Trimetazidine 35mg BD did not show any effect on HbA1c and fasting blood glucose lebel.

Trimetazidine and cardioprotection: facts and perspectives

Trimetazidine (TMZ) is a metabolic agent used in cardiology for more than 40 years. Several studies assessed the cardioprotective effects of TMZ in patients with chronic coronary heart disease (CHD) as well as in patients with heart failure (HF). In light of the inclusion of TMZ in the current guidelines on the management of stable CHD, we reviewed the published literature on TMZ, focusing mainly its effects on patients with stable angina and HF. According to the published literature, there is sufficient evidence to support the addition of this agent in the treatment of symptomatic patients with stable angina.

Protective effect of trimetazidine on amikacin-induced ototoxicity in rats

OBJECTIVE

Aminoglycoside antibiotics are known to have ototoxic effects and may induce sensorineural hearing loss. This study investigated the protective effect of trimetazidine, which has antioxidant and cytoprotective properties, against amikacin ototoxicity.

METHODS

Thirty-two male rats were divided into four groups - amikacin, amikacin + trimetazidine, trimetazidine, and control groups. Trimetazidine, 10 mg/kg per day, was given for 14 days by oral gavage. Amikacin, 600 mg/kg per day, was also given for 14 days, by the intramuscular route. Distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) and auditory brainstem response (ABR) tests were applied to the rats for hearing assessment. At the termination of the study, the biochemical parameters were calculated to evaluate the oxidative status.

RESULTS

The DPOAE values of the amikacin group were significantly lower on the 7th and 14th days than those of the trimetazidine + amikacin group and there was an increase in the ABR thresholds. The ABR thresholds for the amikacin group on the 7th and 14th days were significantly higher than the levels on the first day of the study, while there was no significant increase in those values in the trimetazidine + amikacin group. The total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidant status index (OSI) values of the amikacin group were significantly higher than those of the trimetazidine + amikacin group. The total antioxidant status (TAS) values of the amikacin group were lower than those of the trimetazidine + amikacin group.

CONCLUSIONS

The audiologic tests and biochemical parameters investigated in this study both point to the protective effect of trimetazidine against amikacin-induced ototoxicity.

Pharmacological treatment of chronic stable angina pectoris

Chronic stable angina is the most common manifestation of ischaemic heart disease in the developed world and is associated with impaired quality of life and increased mortality. The pathogenesis of stable angina is complex and often, albeit not always, involves flow-limiting epicardial coronary artery stenoses (atheromatous plaques) that reduce the ability of the coronary circulation to deliver appropriate blood supply to the myocardium. The coronary microcirculation can also play an important role. An imbalance between myocardial oxygen supply and metabolic oxygen demand causes the symptoms of angina pectoris and represents a major therapeutic target. Rational treatment requires a multi-faceted approach combining lifestyle changes, aggressive management of modifiable coronary artery disease risk factors, pharmacological therapy and myocardial revascularisation when appropriate. Despite modern therapies, many patients continue to suffer from angina. Several new anti-anginal drugs have been introduced that might allow more effective symptom control. These novel agents have specific mechanisms of action and fewer side effects compared to conventional drugs. The combined use of traditional and novel treatments is likely to increase the proportion of patients who are managed successfully with medical therapy alone. This article briefly reviews recent advances in the pharmacological management of chronic stable angina pectoris, highlighting how an understanding of the prevailing pathogenic mechanisms in the individual patient can aid appropriate selection of therapeutic strategies and improve clinical outcome.

Management of myocardial ischemia. Is ranolazine needed? For all or some patients with myocardial ischemia?

This editorial refers to 'Should ranolazine be used for all patients with ischemic heart disease or only for symptomatic patients with stable angina or for those with refractory angina pectoris? A critical appraisal' by U Thadani also published in this issue.

Additional use of trimetazidine in patients with chronic heart failure: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of additional trimetazidine (TMZ) treatment on patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).

BACKGROUND

Conflicting results currently exist on the clinical use of TMZ in CHF patients.

METHODS

PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and EBM Reviews databases were searched through November 2010 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing TMZ treatment in CHF patients. Data concerning the study design, patient characteristics, and outcomes were extracted. Risk ratio (RR) and weighted mean differences (WMD) were calculated using fixed or random effects models.

RESULTS

Sixteen RCTs involving 884 CHF patients were included. Hospitalization for cardiac causes (RR: 0.43, p = 0.03), but not all-cause mortality (RR: 0.47, p = 0.27), was reduced by TMZ treatment. Moreover, TMZ therapy was associated not only with the increase of left ventricular ejection fraction (WMD: 6.46%, p < 0.0001) and total exercise time (WMD: 63.75 seconds, p < 0.0001), but also with the decrease of New York Heart Association functional class (WMD: -0.57, p = 0.0003), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (WMD: -6.67 mm, p < 0.0001), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (WMD: -6.05 mm, p < 0.0001), and B-type natriuretic peptide (WMD: -203.40 pg/ml, p = 0.0002).

CONCLUSIONS

Additional use of TMZ in CHF patients may decrease hospitalization for cardiac causes, improve clinical symptoms and cardiac function, and simultaneously ameliorate left ventricular remodeling.

[Improvements in survival in patients with heart failure]

The aim of this study is to describe improvements in survival of patients with heart failure. In addition, factors that may have contributed to these improvements are discussed. The extent of improvement in survival is substantial. This is presumably mainly due to a broad spectrum of new therapeutic options and the introduction of clinical guidelines, and the increasing level of awareness and adherence. For the near future, the increasing implementation of disease management programs and complex interventions has the potential to have a further positive influence on the survival of patients with heart failure.

New potential of Trimetazidine MB for coronary heart disease treatment in the real-world clinical practice: results of the Russian multi-centre randomised study PERSPECTIVE (Part II)

Aim. As a clinical part of the Russian multi-centre randomised study, to assess the clinical benefits and safety of adding Trimetazidine MB to the standard treatment scheme in patients with stable angina (SA), in order to optimise their ambulatory therapy and improve their compliance. Material and methods. The study included 981 patients with Functional Class (FC) II-III SA and various concomitant diseases and syndromes, such as chronic heart failure (CHF), Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM-2), or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in smokers. All participants were divided into two groups: Group I (n=838) received standard therapy plus trimetazidine MB (70 mg/d, twice a day), while Group II (n=143) received standard therapy only. The treatment and follow-up phases lasted for 12 months. Results. In Group I, the weekly number of angina attacks decreased by 42 % from the baseline at one month (р<0,0001), and by 70 % at 12 months (р<0,0001). The number of nitroglycerin (NTG) tablets taken decreased, respectively, by 41 % (р<0,0001) and 68 % (р<0,0001). In Group II, the decrease in angina attack number and NTG tablet number was significant only at 6 months and was less pronounced than in Group I. Therefore, in Group I, the number of patients with FC I increased by 7 times, while the number of FC III patients decreased by 1,8 times. No marked FC dynamics was observed in Group II. In Group I, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) increased by 2,4 % (р<0,001), while interventricular septum and LV posterior wall thickness decreased, respectively, by 4,2 % (р<0,01) and 3,5 % (р<0,01). These parameters, however, did not change substantially in Group II patients. At 12 months, the number of patients hospitalised due to clinical decompensation, or becoming disable, was twice as high in Group II as in Group I. Conclusion. The Russian “PERSPECTIVE” Study results demonstrated high clinical effectiveness and safety ofTrimetazidineMB therapy, combined with standard treatment, in SA patients with CHF, DM-2, and COPD. Therefore, metabolic therapy could be more widely used in the real-world clinical settings.

Evaluation of trimetazidine in angina pectoris by echocardiography and radionuclide angiography: a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials

BACKGROUND

The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of the metabolic agent trimetazidine (TMZ) as monotherapy in the treatment of stable angina pectoris, from echocardiography and radionuclide angiography data.

HYPOTHESIS

Treatment with TMZ proved to be as effective as other first-line antianginal agents for coronary patients, and it provided additional efficacy in combination with hemodynamic agents.

METHODS

A search of the literature published between 1965 and 2008 was performed on the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. Only randomized, controlled trials were included in this meta-analysis. Patients had to be treated for at least 2 weeks with data on the following 4 parameters at baseline and at the end of the treatment period: left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), LV end-systolic volume (LVESV), and wall motion score index (WMSI). The quality of the trials was assessed by the Jadad score.

RESULTS

Eleven clinical studies meeting our criteria were analyzed. Results showed that TMZ significantly improved LVEF, with a mean increase of 6.88% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.50-8.25), and significantly reduced LVESV by 11.58 mL (95% CI: 5.79-17.37) and WMSI by 0.23 (95% CI: 0.07-0.38). Changes in LVEDV were variable. In both the long term and the short term, TMZ can improve LV function. The efficacy was unchanged in patients with diabetes mellitus.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis confirmed the efficacy of TMZ monotherapy in improving LV function compared with placebo.

Pharmacological strategies against cold ischemia reperfusion injury

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD

Good organ preservation is a determinant of graft outcome after revascularization. The necessity of increasing the quality of organ preservation, as well as of extending cold storage time, has made it necessary to consider the use of pharmacological additives.

AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW

The complex physiopathology of cold-ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury--and in particular cell death, mitochondrial injury and endoplasmic reticulum stress--are reviewed. Basic principles of the formulation of the different preservation solutions are discussed.

WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN

Current strategies and new trends in static organ preservation using additives such as trimetazidine, polyethylene glycols, melatonin, trophic factors and endothelin antagonists in solution are presented and discussed. The benefits and mechanisms responsible for enhancing organ protection against I/R injury are also discussed. Graft preservation was substantially improved when additives were added to the preservation solutions.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE

Enrichment of preservation solutions by additives is clinically useful only for short periods. For longer periods of cold ischemia, the use of such additives becomes insufficient because graft function deteriorates as a result of ischemia. In such conditions, the preservation strategy should be changed by the use of machine perfusion in normothermic conditions.

Effects of trimetazidine, a partial inhibitor of fatty acid oxidation, on ventricular function and survival after myocardial infarction and reperfusion in the rat

Trimetazidine (TMZ), a partial inhibitor of fatty acid oxidation, has been effective in treating chronic angina, but its effects on the development of post-myocardial infarction (MI) left ventricular remodeling are not defined. In this study, we tested whether chronic pre-MI administration of TMZ would be beneficial during and after acute MI. Two-hundred male Wistar rats were studied in four groups: sham + TMZ diet (n = 20), sham + control diet (n = 20), MI + TMZ diet (n = 80), and MI + control diet (n = 80) splitted into one short-term and one long-term experiments. Sham surgery consisted of a thoracotomy without coronary ligation. MI was induced by coronary occlusion followed by reperfusion. Left ventricle (LV) function and remodeling were assessed by serial echocardiography throughout a 24-week post-MI period. LV remodeling was also assessed by quantitative histological analysis of post-MI scar formation at 24 weeks post-MI. During the short-term experiment, 10/80 rats died after MI, with no difference between groups (MI + control = 7/40, MI + TMZ = 3/40, P = 0.3). In the long-term experiment, the deaths occurred irregularly over the 24 weeks with no difference between groups (MI + control = 16% mortality, MI + TMZ = 17%, P = 0.8). There was no difference between groups as regard to LV ejection fraction (MI + control = 36 +/- 13%, MI + TMZ = 35 +/- 13%, P = 0.6). In this experimental model, TMZ had no effects on the post-MI occurrence of LV dysfunction or remodeling. Further investigations are warranted to assess whether the partial inhibition of fatty acid oxidation may limit the ability of the heart to respond to acute severe stress.

Percutaneous coronary revascularization in patients with formerly "refractory angina pectoris in end-stage coronary artery disease" - not "end-stage" after all

Background

Patients with refractory angina pectoris in end-stage coronary artery disease represent a severe condition with a higher reduction of life-expectancy and quality of life as compared to patients with stable coronary artery disease. It was the purpose of this study to invasively re-evaluate highly symptomatic patients with formerly diagnosed refractory angina pectoris in end-stage coronary artery disease for feasible options of myocardial revascularization.

Methods

Thirty-four Patients formerly characterized as having end stage coronary artery disease with refractory angina pectoris were retrospectively followed for coronary interventions.

Results

Of those 34 patients 21 (61.8%) were eventually revascularized with percutaneous interventional revascularization (PCI). Due to complex coronary morphology (angulation, chronic total occlusion) PCI demanded an above-average amount of time (66 ± 42 minutes, range 25–206 minutes) and materials (contrast media 247 ± 209 ml, range 50–750 ml; PCI guiding wires 2.0 ± 1.4, range 1–6 wires). Of PCI patients 7 (33.3%) showed a new lesion as a sign of progression of atherosclerosis. Clinical success rate with a reduction to angina class II or lower was 71.4% at 30 days. Surgery was performed in a total of8 (23.5%) patients with a clinical success rate of 62.5%. Based on an intention-to-treat 2 patients of originally 8 (25%) demonstrated clinical success. Mortality during follow-up (1–18 months) was 4.8% in patients who underwent PCI, 25% in patients treated surgically and 25% in those only treated medically.

Conclusion

The majority of patients with end-stage coronary artery disease can be treated effectively with conventional invasive treatment modalities. Therefore even though it is challenging and demanding PCI should be considered as a first choice before experimental interventions are considered.

Utility of ranolazine in chronic stable angina patients

Chronic stable angina is a debilitating illness affecting at least 6.6 million US residents. Despite being optimally treated by pharmacotherapy and revascularization up to 26% of patients still experience angina. Diabetes mellitus is a common co-morbid condition in angina patients. Several new investigational medications are being tested for chronic angina. Advances in understanding of myocardial ischemia have prompted evaluation of a number of new antianginal strategies. In this review we discuss the utility of ranolazine, a recently approved novel antianginal agent and its efficacy in the diabetic patient population. In addition to its antianginal action in diabetic patients with chronic angina, ranolazine may have favorable effects on glycated hemoglobin levels.

[Evidence-based optimal treatment strategy of patients with angina pectoris]

The author summarizes the evidences of angina pectoris' optimal treatment. The invasive treatment strategy became a frontrunner in this field as well. During the last years the number of percutaneous interventions became higher than bypass operations in many countries as well as in Hungary. The place of percutaneous interventions and bypass surgery in the treatment of angina pectoris is an important clinical problem. The author summarizes the data of three possible treatment options (medical therapy, percutaneous interventions and bypass surgery) of angina pectoris based on data of randomised trials. The evidences show that the first steps of therapy are - after the diagnosis - the influence of risk factors, life-style changes and optimal medical therapy. The optimal medical therapy consists of statin, aspirin and ACE inhibitor treatment besides antianginal therapy, where the beta blockers are regarded as first drugs of choice. Percutaneous interventions as initial treatment option are not recommended because we have no evidences that this intervention prolongs life and prevents myocardial infarction. If the patient remains symptomatic after medical treatment, it is necessary to perform revascularization. These procedures can improve the functional capacity more than medical treatment alone. The optimal treatment strategy of angina pectoris, based on evidence, is an important medical and economical problem.

Trimetazidine protective effect against ischemia-induced susceptibility to ventricular fibrillation in pigs

PURPOSE

Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a possible consequence of brief myocardial ischemia. Such a short ischemia does not provoke cell damage, but induces changes in intracellular cardiac metabolism due to diminished oxygen supply to the heart. Trimetazidine (TMZ) is a drug able to restore the metabolic balance between fatty acid and glucose oxidation in ischemic myocardial cells. The aim of this double-blind study was to investigate TMZ effect on VF in pigs during short-term ischemia.

METHODS

Ischemia was induced after thoracotomy by complete, but brief (1 min) occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery under electrical stimulation. The ventricular fibrillation threshold (VFT), heart rate (HR), various hemodynamic parameters and malondialdehyde (MDA) blood levels were measured before and during ischemia in two groups of eight anesthetized pigs. The mass of ischemic myocardial tissue was also evaluated.

RESULTS

No effects on either the HR or the hemodynamic parameters were observed during myocardial ischemia, whereas TMZ increased the VFT and decreased both MDA blood levels (an index of lipid peroxidation) and the ischemic area.

CONCLUSIONS

TMZ limited ischemia-induced electrical dysfunction leading to cardiac susceptibility to VF by decreasing lipid peroxidation and maintaining ionic homeostasis. TMZ could therefore provide protection against ischemia-induced VF.

Ranolazine in patients with coronary artery disease

Traditional anti-anginal agents such as beta-blockers and nitrates improve symptoms of cardiac ischemia by affecting either blood pressure or heart rates. Despite aggressive therapy, many patients suffer persistent angina, and optimal therapy is limited by intolerance to traditional agents. Ranolazine, a novel anti-anginal agent that is approved for use in the US, is felt to improve ischemic symptoms by reducing myocardial cellular sodium and calcium overload via inhibition of the late sodium current (I(Na)) of the cardiac action potential. Several Phase-III trials in patients with chronic angina have demonstrated that ranolazine improves exercise tolerance and reduces ischemic symptoms as compared with placebo. In the largest evaluation of ranolazine, the MERLIN-TIMI 36 trial (Metabolic Efficiency with Ranolazine for Less Ischemia in non ST elevation acute coronary syndrome), ranolazine did not reduce the risk of death or recurrent myocardial infarction in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes, but it did improve ischemic symptoms over the subsequent year of therapy. Thus, ranolazine offers clinicians a new therapy in the long-term treatment of patients with chronic angina.

Ranolazine in patients with angina and coronary artery disease

The optimal management of coronary artery disease is based on achieving two parallel objectives: 1) prevention of major cardiovascular events, and 2) resolution of symptoms. Traditional antianginal agents improve ischemic symptoms by reducing myocardial oxygen demand through modulation of heart rate, preload, and/or afterload. Ranolazine is a novel antianginal agent believed to relieve ischemia by reducing myocardial cellular sodium and calcium overload via inhibition of the late sodium current of the cardiac action potential. In three randomized double-blind trials in selected patients with chronic angina, ranolazine prolonged exercise duration and reduced symptoms when compared with placebo when given as either monotherapy or in combination with traditional antianginal pharmacotherapy. When evaluated in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes, ranolazine reduced recurrent ischemia but did not significantly reduce the risk of death or myocardial infarction at 1 year. Ranolazine complements traditional antianginal agents and offers clinicians a new option in the long-term treatment of patients with angina.

Trimetazidine added to combined hemodynamic antianginal therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized crossover trial

BACKGROUND

In nondiabetic patients with stable angina, combined treatment with hemodynamic agents and trimetazidine is well-tolerated and effective in controlling ischemia. This study aims to evaluate the antiischemic and metabolic effects of trimetazidine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, not eligible for revascularization, who remained symptomatic despite the use of at least 2 antianginal agents.

METHODS

A randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical trial was used. Ten patients were randomized to receive trimetazidine (20 mg, 3 times a day) or placebo for 6-week periods. At baseline and at the end of each 6-week intervention period, clinical and biochemical evaluations, exercise testing, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure, and Holter monitoring were performed.

RESULTS

During trimetazidine therapy, patients had significant improvement on angina functional class (P < .05), with decrease in the number of weekly angina episodes (1.5 +/- 0.8 vs 0.4 +/- 0.7, P < .01), and in sublingual nitrate doses (1.4 +/- 0.7 mg vs 0.1 +/- 0.3 mg, P < .001). Time to 1-mm ST-segment depression during exercise test was increased after trimetazidine use (229 +/- 126 seconds at baseline, 276 +/- 101 seconds after placebo, and 348 +/- 145 seconds after trimetazidine, P < .001). No differences were observed between treatment periods on mean 24-hour blood pressure, heart rate, and rate-pressure product evaluated concomitantly with ambulatory blood pressure and Holter monitoring. Glycemic and lipid profiles were similar after trimetazidine and placebo use.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with diabetes who remain symptomatic, the addition of trimetazidine improves symptoms and exercise responses without hemodynamic or metabolic changes. The present data suggest that trimetazidine may be an effective adjunct therapy for these patients, but further investigation is needed to confirm these findings.