Ischemic Preconditioning During Coronary Angioplast Is Prevented by Glibenclamide, a Selective ATP-Sensitive K ' Channel Blocker

Background Brief episodes of ischemia render the heart more resistant to subsequent ischemia; this phenomenon has been called ischemic preconditioning. In some animal species, myocardial preconditioning appears to be due to activation of ATP-sensitive K ' (KATP) channels. The role played by KATP channels in preconditioning in humans remains unknown. The aim of this study was to establish whether glibenclamide, a selective KATP channel blocker, abolishes the ischemic precon-ditioning observed in humans during coronary angioplasty following repeated balloon inflations. Methods and Results Twenty consecutive patients undergo-ing one-vessel coronary angioplasty were randomized to re-ceive 10 mg oral glibenclamide or placebo. Sixty minutes after glibenclamide or placebo administration, patients were given an infusion of 10 % dextrose (8 mL/min) to correct glucos