Background and Objective: Acute coronary syndrome is characterized by compromised blood flow at the epicardial and microvascular levels. We have previously shown that thrombectomy in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) accelerates ST-segment resolution, possibly by preventing distal embolization. Therefore, we analyzed the vasoconstrictor concentration of acute coronary thrombi, and found high concentrations of endothelin (ET) which correlated with the magnitude of ST-segment resolution within one hour of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Furthermore, ET-receptor blockade by tezosentan significantly repressed vasoconstriction in an in-vitro model using porcine coronary artery rings incubated with coronary thrombus homogenates extracted from STEMI patients.~The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of ET-receptor blockade by BQ-123 on myocardial perfusion and infarct size as an adjunct to PCI-reperfusion therapy in patients with STEMI.~Methods: Fifty eligible patients will be randomized to receive periinterventional intravenous BQ-123 or placebo. The primary endpoint of the study will be microvascular function evaluated by cardiac magnetic resonance tomography.
Background and Objective: Acute coronary syndrome is characterized by compromised blood flow at the epicardial and microvascular levels. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of ET-receptor blockade by BQ-123 on myocardial perfusion and infarct size as an adjunct to PCI-reperfusion therapy in patients with STEMI.~Patients are randomized to receive periinterventional intravenous BQ-123 or placebo.