Effects of beraprost sodium, a new prostaglandin I2 analog, on parameters of hemostasis, fibrinolysis, and myocardial ischemia in patients with exertional angina

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of beraprost sodium, a stable prostacyclin analog, on the parameters of hemostasis, fibrinolysis, and myocardial ischemia in patients with exertional angina. Thirty-one patients with exertional angina who had significant organic coronary artery stenosis in at least one of the three major coronary arteries were selected. All patients underwent quantitative exercise thallium-201 emission computed tomography before and 1 month after 120 micrograms per day of beraprost sodium administration. Before exercise, blood samples were collected from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. after the patients had been lying in bed undisturbed for at least 10 minutes. Plasma platelet factor 4 (PF4), fibrinopeptide A (FPA), tissue plasminogen activator antigen (t-PA), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 activity (PAI-1) were measured. There were no significant differences in exercise parameters on both exercise tests. However, both the extent and severity scores of ischemia were significantly aggravated (p < 0.05 for both) during beraprost sodium administration. Plasma FPA levels decreased significantly during beraprost sodium administration (p < 0.01). Likewise, plasma PF4 levels decreased significantly during beraprost sodium administration (p < 0.05). As for plasma t-PA antigen levels, there was no significant difference before versus during beraprost sodium administration. Plasma PAI-1 activity levels decreased significantly during beraprost sodium administration (p < 0.05). The results indicate that beraprost sodium has strong antithrombogenic properties. However, its aggravation of myocardial ischemia may limit clinical usage.