Abstract
Background Dihydroergotamine (DHE) and sumatriptan are contraindicated in patients with cardiovascular disease because of their vasoconstricting properties, which have originally been explored in proximal coronary arteries. Our aim was to investigate DHE and sumatriptan in the proximal and distal coronary artery, middle meningeal artery and saphenous vein. Methods Blood vessel segments were mounted in organ baths and concentration response curves for DHE and sumatriptan were constructed. Results In the proximal coronary artery, meningeal artery and saphenous vein, maximal contractions to DHE (proximal: 8±4%; meningeal: 32±7%; saphenous: 52±11%) and sumatriptan (proximal: 17±7%; meningeal: 61±18%, saphenous: 37±8%) were not significantly different. In the distal coronary artery, contractions to DHE (5±2%) were significantly smaller than those to sumatriptan (17±9%). At clinically relevant concentrations, mean contractions to DHE and sumatriptan were below 3% in proximal coronary arteries and below 6% in distal coronary arteries. Contractions in the meningeal artery and saphenous vein were higher (7%-38%). Conclusions Contractions to DHE in distal coronary arteries are smaller than those to sumatriptan, while at clinical concentrations they both induce only slight contractions. In meningeal arteries contractions to DHE and sumatriptan are significantly larger, showing their cranioselectivity. Contractions to DHE in the saphenous vein are higher than those in the arteries, confirming its venous contractile properties.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 182-189 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Cephalalgia |
Volume | 35 |
Issue number | 2 |
Early online date | 30 Jul 2014 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2015 |
Bibliographical note
This study was supported by the Netherlands Organizationfor Scientific Research (Vidi grant 917.11.349) and by MAP
Pharmaceuticals/Allergan
Research programs
- EMC COEUR-09
- EMC COEUR-09-39-02