Lack of negative inotropic effects of the new calcium antagonist Ro 40-5967 in patients with stable angina pectoris

We screened the antiischemic, hemodynamic, and inotropic effects of different dosages of the new calcium channel blocker Ro 40-5967 in 65 patients with stable effort-induced angina pectoris. In a double-blind way, patients were randomized to receive a single oral dose of 50, 100, or 200 mg Ro 40-5967 or placebo, given as a drinking solution. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR) were measured at rest and during a supine bicycle exercise test on day 0 (baseline) and 2 h after drug intake on day 1. Twenty-four hours later, the bicycle exercise test was repeated. Ro 40-5967 improved exercise duration and resting LVEF. After 200 mg, exercise time increased significantly from 8.4 +/- 0.8 min (mean +/- SEM) to 9.6 +/- 0.7 min (p = 0.018), and LVEF at rest increased from 54.5 +/- 2.2 to 58.1 +/- 2.6% (p = 0.045). Time to 0.1 mV ST-segment depression increased significantly from 4.3 +/- 0.8 to 5.5 +/- 0.9 min in the 100-mg group (p = 0.013) and from 4.3 +/- 1.3 to 5.4 +/- 1.5 min in the 200-mg group (p = 0.027). Maximum ST-segment depression decreased significantly at all dose levels (p = 0.01), with the maximum decrease noted in the 200-mg group (from 0.21 +/- 0.03 to 0.15 +/- 0.02 mV, p = 0.004). BP, HR, and rate-pressure product did not change significantly at rest or at maximum exercise. A single dose of Ro 40-5967 has anti-ischemic properties in patients with stable angina pectoris, with maximum effects obtained after 200 mg. No signs of negative inotropy were noted, and the drug was well tolerated

A large family characterised by nocturnal sudden death

We recently identified a novel mutation in large family characterised by premature nocturnal sudden death. In the present paper we provide an overview of the findings in this family. From 1958 onwards, when the first patient presented, we collected clinical data on as many family members as possible. After identification in 1998 of the underlying genetic disorder (SCN5A, 1795insD), genotyping was performed diagnostically. Since 1905 unexplained sudden death occurred in 26 family members, 17 of whom died during the night. Besides sudden death, symptomatology was rather limited; only six patients reported syncopal attacks. In one of them, a 13-year-old boy, asystolic episodes up to nine seconds were documented. Until now, the mutation has been found in 114 family members (57 males, 57 females). Carriers of the mutant gene exhibited bradycardia-dependent QT-prolongation, intrinsic sinus node dysfunction, generalised conduction abnormalities, a paucity of ventricular ectopy, and the Brugada sign. Cardiomyopathy or other structural abnormalities were not found in any of the carriers. Electrophysiological studies showed that mutant channels were characterised by markedly reduced INa amplitude, a positive shift of voltage-dependence of activation and a substantial negative shift of voltage-dependence of inactivation of INa. From 1978 onwards, a pacemaker for anti-brady pacing was implanted for prevention of sudden death. In patients in whom a prophylactic pacemaker was implanted no unexplained sudden death occurred, whereas 5 sudden deaths occurred in the group of patients who did not receive a pacemaker. We have described a large family with a SCN5A-linked disorder (1795insD) with features of LQT3, Brugada syndrome and familial conduction system disease. Anti-brady pacing was successful in preventing sudden death. The mode of death is possibly bradycardi

A single Na+ channel mutation causing both long-QT and Brugada syndromes

Mutations in SCN5A, the gene encoding the cardiac Na+ channel, have been identified in 2 distinct diseases associated with sudden death: one form of the long-QT syndrome (LQT(3)) and the Brugada syndrome. We have screened SCN5A in a large 8-generation kindred characterized by a high incidence of nocturnal sudden death, and QT-interval prolongation and the "Brugada ECG" occurring in the same subjects. An insertion of 3 nucleotides (TCA) at position 5537, predicted to cause an insertion of aspartic acid (1795insD) in the C-terminal domain of the protein, was linked to the phenotype and was identified in all electrocardiographically affected family members. ECGs were obtained from 79 adults with a defined genetic status (carriers, n=43; noncarriers, n=36), In affected individuals, PR and QRS durations and QT intervals are prolonged (

Effect of metoprolol CR/XL in chronic heart failure: Metoprolol CR XL Randomised Intervention Trial in Congestive Heart Failure (MERIT-HF)

BACKGROUND: Metoprolol can improve haemodynamics in chronic heart failure, but survival benefit has not been proven. We investigated whether metoprolol controlled release/extended release (CR/XL) once daily, in addition to standard therapy, would lower mortality in patients with decreased ejection fraction and symptoms of heart failure. METHODS: We enrolled 3991 patients with chronic heart failure in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II-IV and with ejection fraction of 0.40 or less, stabilised with optimum standard therapy, in a double-blind randomised controlled study. Randomisation was preceded by a 2-week single-blind placebo run-in period. 1990 patients were randomly assigned metoprolol CR/XL 12.5 mg (NYHA III-IV) or 25.0 mg once daily (NYHA II) and 2001 were assigned placebo. The target dose was 200 mg once daily and doses were up-titrated over 8 weeks. Our primary endpoint was all-cause mortality, analysed by intention to treat. FINDINGS: The study was stopped early on the recommendation of the independent safety committee. Mean follow-up time was 1 year. All-cause mortality was lower in the metoprolol CR/XL group than in the placebo group (145 [7.2%, per patient-year of follow-up]) vs 217 deaths [11.0%], relative risk 0.66 [95% CI 0.53-0.81]; p=0.00009 or adjusted for interim analyses p=0.0062). There were fewer sudden deaths in the metoprolol CR/XL group than in the placebo group (79 vs 132, 0.59 [0.45-0.78]; p=0.0002) and deaths from worsening heart failure (30 vs 58, 0.51 [0.33-0.79]; p=0.0023). INTERPRETATION: Metoprolol CR/XL once daily in addition to optimum standard therapy improved survival. The drug was well tolerated