Witherow FN, Dawson P, Ludlam CA, Fox KAA, Newby DE. Marked bradykinin-induced tissue plasminogen activator release in patients with heart failure maintained on long-term angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor therapy.
J Am Coll Cardiol 2002;
40:961-6. [PMID:
12225723 DOI:
10.1016/s0735-1097(02)02061-2]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
The aim of the present study was to assess the contribution of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor therapy to bradykinin-induced tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) release in patients with heart failure (HF) secondary to ischemic heart disease.
BACKGROUND
Bradykinin is a potent endothelial cell stimulant that causes vasodilatation and t-PA release. In large-scale clinical trials, ACE inhibitor therapy prevents ischemic events.
METHODS
Nine patients with symptomatic HF were evaluated on two occasions: during and following seven-day withdrawal of long-term ACE inhibitor therapy. Forearm blood flow was measured using bilateral venous occlusion plethysmography. Intrabrachial bradykinin (30 to 300 pmol/min), substance P (2 to 8 pmol/min), and sodium nitroprusside (1 to 4 pmol/min) were infused, and venous blood samples were withdrawn from both forearms for estimation of fibrinolytic variables.
RESULTS
On both study days, bradykinin and substance P caused dose-dependent vasodilatation and release of t-PA from the infused forearm (p < 0.05 by analysis of variance [ANOVA]). Long-term ACE inhibitor therapy caused an increase in forearm vasodilatation (p < 0.05 by ANOVA) and t-PA release (p < 0.001 by ANOVA) during bradykinin, but not substance P, infusion. Maximal local plasma t-PA activity concentrations approached 100 IU/ml, and maximal forearm protein release was approximately 4.5 microg/min.
CONCLUSIONS
Long-term ACE inhibitor therapy augments bradykinin-induced peripheral vasodilatation and local t-PA release in patients with HF due to ischemic heart disease. Local plasma t-PA activity concentrations approached those seen during systemic thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction. This may contribute to the primary mechanism of the anti-ischemic effects associated with long-term ACE inhibitor therapy.
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