[Linsidomine, direct donor of EDRF/NO: a new treatment for unstable angina]

Linsidomine 10 mg, administered intravenously, has become available for the treatment of unstable angina since the beginning of 1996. It reinforces a range which consists of oral molsidomine, 2 and 4 mg, and the 1 mg intracoronary linsidomine dosage, thereby providing a more complete management of symptomatic coronary patients. Linsidomine is a direct donor of EDRF/NO which has an action on blood vessels (reduction of preload and dilatation of the large epicardial coronary vessels) and on platelets (inhibition of aggregation) without risk of tolerance. Linsidomine was compared with parenteral isosorbide dinitrate in a large scale French trial in patients with severe unstable angina (Braunwald's Class IIIb). The results showed linsidomine to be an effective treatment of unstable angina, controlling 75% of patients with a low incidence of severe clinical events (death, myocardial infarction, emergency myocardial revascularisation). In addition, intravenous linsidomine was well tolerated clinically, especially in terms of symptomatic hypotension.