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Local effect of serotonin released during coronary angioplasty
P Golino1, F Piscione, C R Benedict
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Naples, Italy.
Insights
During coronary angioplasty, serotonin is released into the circulation, potentially causing vasoconstriction. Ketanserin, a serotonin antagonist, was found to significantly reduce this effect, improving coronary artery tone.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Platelet aggregation releases serotonin, a process relevant to coronary angioplasty.
- The role of serotonin in coronary circulation during angioplasty is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serotonin release into the coronary circulation during angioplasty.
- To determine if serotonin influences coronary artery tone post-angioplasty.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples collected from aorta and coronary sinus before and after angioplasty dilations in eight patients.
- Coronary artery dimensions measured angiographically post-dilation.
- Comparison with seven patients treated with ketanserin, a serotonin2-receptor antagonist.
Main Results:
- Significant increase in coronary sinus serotonin levels post-dilation (P=0.014), with no aortic change.
- Coronary artery cross-sectional area reduced post-dilation (P=0.011).
- Ketanserin treatment significantly blunted vasoconstriction (P=0.017).
Conclusions:
- Serotonin is released into the coronary circulation during angioplasty.
- This serotonin release contributes to distal vasoconstriction.
- Ketanserin effectively attenuates angioplasty-induced vasoconstriction.
Background:
Serotonin is released after the aggregation of platelets, a phenomenon that may occur after coronary angioplasty. We sought to determine whether serotonin is released into the coronary circulation during coronary angioplasty and to assess whether serotonin can affect coronary-artery tone during angioplasty.
Methods:
Blood samples were drawn from the ascending aorta and the coronary sinus of eight patients scheduled to undergo angioplasty of the left anterior descending or circumflex coronary artery. Samples were obtained before angioplasty and after each balloon dilation. The dimensions of arterial segments distal to the site of dilation were measured angiographically before angioplasty and 5 and 15 minutes after the last dilation in these eight patients and in seven similar patients; the latter group was treated with ketanserin, a serotonin2-receptor antagonist, before angioplasty.
Results:
Before the eight patients underwent angioplasty, their mean (+/- SE) plasma serotonin level in the aorta was 2.5 +/- 0.7 ng per milliliter and that in the coronary sinus was 2.3 +/- 0.6 ng per milliliter (P = 0.34). The serotonin level in plasma from the coronary sinus rose significantly, to 31.5 +/- 13.5, 17.6 +/- 5.3, and 29.1 +/- 8.1 ng per milliliter after the first, second, and third dilations, respectively (P = 0.014 for the comparison with preoperative levels). In contrast, the serotonin level in plasma from the ascending aorta did not change. The cross-sectional area of the coronary artery was significantly reduced 5 and 15 minutes after the last dilation (from a preoperative value of 3.7 +/- 0.5 mm2 to 2.7 +/- 0.4 mm2 15 minutes after the last dilation; P = 0.011). This vasoconstriction was significantly blunted in the seven patients who received ketanserin (from 3.7 +/- 0.5 mm2 before angioplasty to 3.9 +/- 0.4 mm2 after 15 minutes) (P = 0.017 for comparison with the eight patients who did not receive ketanserin).
Conclusions:
Serotonin is released into the coronary circulation during angioplasty, and this vasoactive substance may contribute to the occurrence of vasoconstriction distal to the dilated site. The vasoconstriction is attenuated by ketanserin, a serotonin2-receptor antagonist.