Effect of naloxone on exercise-induced angina pectoris: a randomized double blind crossover trial

To determine whether endogenous opioids play a role in modulating the appreciation of chest pain in angina pectoris, the specific opioid antagonist, Naloxone, was used. The hypothesis was that the appearance time of ischemic myocardial pain should decrease after Naloxone if centrally mediated pain perception is significantly influenced by the endorphin system in angina pectoris. A randomized double blind clinical trial was conducted in 5 men with effort-induced angina pectoris associated with ST segment changes. Three multi-stage exercise tests, using the Bruce protocol were performed on the same day and time, on three successive weeks. Chest pain was reported 4.3 +/- 0.3 (SEM) minutes after starting exercise on the first or baseline test. On subsequent tests patients received either Naloxone 2 mg IV or a similar volume of saline placebo. Angina pectoris occurred significantly (p. less than 0.05) earlier (1.6 +/- 0.2 minutes) after Naloxone compared to placebo. There were no significant differences in myocardial ischemia indicated by ST segment changes and no significant differences in resting or exercise blood pressure and heart rate between Naloxone and placebo. Thus, these data focus attention on a neglected area of myocardial ischemic pain and suggest that endogenous opioids play a significant role in the recognition of the pain of effort-related angina pectoris.