A case of refractory vasospastic angina pectoris treated effectively with denopamine alone -Pharmacological mechanism of its action-

It has been shown that the incidence of vasospastic angina pectoris is more frequent in Japanese people than in Caucasians, and calcium channel blockers and/or nitrates were effective in these patients [1]. Conversely, it has been claimed that about 20% of cases are not treated effectively with combined administration of calcium channel blocker and nitrate [2]. In refractory cases, it has been shown that nicorandil, sympathetic alpha-1 receptor blockade, steroids, vitamine E, magnesium, and bypass surgery were sometimes effective. A adrenergic beta receptor (βAR) stimulatorinduced vasodilative response in the coronary arteries has been reported [3,4]. Other reports showed that combined administration of denopamine, a selective adrenergic beta-1 receptor (β1AR) stimulant, was effective in cases of refractory vasospastic angina pectoris. However, 〔Chiba Medical J. 89E:29 ~ 33, 2013〕