Endothelin A-receptors and the coronary circulation ()
Affiliation(s)
ABSTRACT
We review the role of endothelin (ET) A-receptors (R) on the coronary circulation. ET-1 maintains the normal coronary artery tone. ET-1 plasma levels are increased during and after coronary angioplasty and this increase is related to myocardial ischaemia rather than to mechanical artery injury. ETAR antagonists inhibit coronary artery vasoconstriction induced by ET release after coronary angioplasty in humans. ET promotes neointimal formation and ETAR antagonism has been shown to inhibit restenosis after angioplasty in the animal model but not in humans. ETAR blockade increases coronary blood flow, dilates distal coronary arterial segments and decreases coronary vascular resistance. Coronary collaterals are less sensitive than other coronary vessels to ET-1. ETAR blockade decreases collateral blood flow and, consequently, perfusion of the ischemic myocardium.
KEYWORDS
Share and Cite:
Copyright © 2024 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc.
This work and the related PDF file are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.