Coronary vasoreactivity to ergonovine after angioplasty: difference between the infarct-related coronary artery and the noninfarct-related coronary artery

BACKGROUND:The vasoreactivity after direct percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in patients with previous myocardial infarction remains unknown. We examined the constrictor response to ergonovine of the infarct-related coronary artery in comparison with that of noninfarct-related coronary artery after angioplasty. METHODS:Ergonovine was administered intravenously to 17 patients with previous myocardial infarction (group I) and to 21 patients with stable angina (group II) 1 year after PTCA. The effects of ergonovine on lumen diameter were analysed quantitatively at the PTCA segment, nonPTCA segment (proximal to the PTCA segment), and nonPTCA artery. RESULTS:The ergonovine-induced decrease in minimal lumen diameter at the PTCA segment was significant in group I (decrease from 2.12 ± 0.56 to 1.39 ± 0.74 mm, P