[State of the sympathetic-adrenal system in angina pectoris attacks]

In 14 patients with ischaemic heart disease the plasma noradrenaline and adrenalin levels were determined during anginal attacks and in the attack-free period, and daily catecholamines excretion was studied in 11 of them. The blood plasma and urine noradrenaline and adrenalin levels were determined with the help of the trioxyindol, fluorimetric method. The content of noradrenaline and adrenalin in the blood plasma during anginal attacks was statistically significantly higher than during the attack-free period. At the same time, in urine samples collected during 24 hours after the attack and during an attack-free period no significant differences in the concentration of both catecholamines was found. Consequently, hypercatecholaminemia observed during anginal attacks is brief. An elevation of the activity of the sympathodrenal system may favour the development of rhythm disorders and hamper the therapeutic measures.