Abstract
Objective: The internal thoracic artery (ITA) is the most important graft in coronary artery bypass grafting. Its distal region is, however, prone to vasospasm. We studied the effects of nitroglycerin (NTG) and isosorbide-dinitrate (DSDN) on distal segments of left versus right ITA. Methods: Rings of distal segments (6 to 9 mm proximal to bifurcation) of the human left and right ITA were studied. After baseline contraction of the rings, achieved using 60 mmol/L of KCI, they were exposed to increasing doses of ISDN and NTG (10 to 100 μg/ml), and dose-response curves were recorded. Results: The contractile response of left ITA rings to KCI were significantly lower than those of right ITA rings (1.87 ± 0.25 g versus 3.5 ± 0.61 g, p < 0.005). Both nitrates inhibited the contractile response in a concentration-dependent manner, with relaxing effects of ISDN higher than those of NTG (p < 0.01) in both left and right ITA rings. Conclusions: The distal segment of the left ITA is less prone to vasospasm than that of the right. ISDN has a considerably higher relaxant effect on this segment than NTG. We therefore recommend favoring high doses of ISDN over NTG as an antispastic measure.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 279-285 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Journal of Cardiac Surgery |
Volume | 18 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Jul 2003 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine