[Influence of PTCA on neutrophil aggregation in patients with unstable angina pectoris (part II)]

In twenty patients with unstable angina, the effects of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) on aggregation of neutrophils (PMNs) obtained from coronary sinus (CS) and basilic vein (BV) were investigated. Blood samples for the investigations were taken from CS just before the procedure, within the first minute after the last balloon inflation and 20 minutes after PTCA; from BV--just before and 20 minutes after the procedure. The results were compared with those obtained from 12 patients with unstable angina (in whom coronary angiography was performed, but for various reasons angioplasty was desisted from) and with those obtained from 20 clinically healthy persons. In patients with unstable angina the significantly higher percent of aggregated PMNs from CS as well as from BV was found, compared with healthy persons. Within the first minute after the procedure, the significantly increased percentage of aggregated PMNs from CS compared with the results before the procedure, was observed (10.50 +/- 4.06% and 18.36 +/- 7.69%, p < 0.05), but 20 minutes after, the value of the investigated parameter decreased to 5.88 +/- 2.86% and was similar to that in healthy persons. One minute after the procedure, in patients in whom PTCA was performed, the significantly decreased PMNs number in the blood obtained from CS was found, compared with the results before PTCA (4295 +/- 840 and 3850 +/- 825; p < 0.05). Twenty minutes after the procedure no further decrease of PMNs number was observed. In patients with or without PTCA no changes in the number and aggregation of PMNs obtained from BV were observed.