Cardiac angiotensin II participates in coronary microvessel inflammation of unstable angina and strengthens the immunomediated component

What Was Tested

The paper reports a study of Angiotensin II, published as a randomized controlled trial.

Angiotensin (Ang) II is now recognized to be a mediator of a wide variety of inflammatory processes.

This study investigated renin-angiotensin system (RAS) components and a number of inflammatory mediators in left ventricular biopsies from 2-vessel disease unstable angina (UA) (n=43) and stable angina (SA) (n=15) patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery.

Who Took Part

According to the abstract, 6 patients were involved.

PubMed indexes the participants as adults, middle-aged adults and older adults, both men and women.

How the Study Was Run

The researchers set it up as a randomized and placebo-controlled study.

The patients were allocated by chance, so the Angiotensin II group and the comparison group should start out alike.

Some patients received a placebo instead of Angiotensin II, giving a reference point.

During coronary angiography coronary blood flow was measured and samples were obtained from aorta and coronary sinus for determination of Ang I and Ang II gradients.

What Was Measured

Topics PubMed links to this paper include Angina Pectoris, Angina, Unstable, Angiotensin II, Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors, Chymases and Combined Modality Therapy.

What This Means in Plain Language

The paper is a randomized and placebo-controlled study of Angiotensin II in 6 patients.

With fewer than 40 people, it is a small study, so it is better read as an early signal for further research than as a settled answer.

The publication is from 2004 (Circulation research), a journal based in United States.

More context: the Angiotensin II compound page, all human trials.