Abstract
The effects of infusion of normal saline (NS) and glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) with either low or high G concentrations on hemodynamics and exercise tolerance were studied in patients with angina pectoris. Studies were performed at rest and during exercise, twice before and once after 1 of the infusions. Patients [11] (low-G GIK group) received 150 ml of GIK solution that contained 15 g G, 8 U[units]I, and 12 mEq KCl; 10 patients received 150 ml NS; and 7 patients (high-G GIK group) received 1.5 g/kg of G orally followed by a 100 ml infusion that contained 0.5 g/kg G, 1.5 U/kg I, and 10 mEq KCl. Before infusion, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was higher during the 1st exercise period (Ex1) than during the 2nd exercise period (Ex2), but the exercise time to angina did not change significantly. After NS, exercise time to angina, hemodynamics and G levels were similar to the preinfusion Ex2 values. After low-G GIK infusion, G levels increased from 99 to 140 mg/dl (P < 0.01), but the exercise time to angina did not change significantly from the preinfusion Ex2 values. Only 2 of the 11 patients exercised for a longer period of time and had less ST-segment depression. LVEDP during exercise after low-G GIK infusion was lower compared with the preinfusion Ex2 values (18 vs 23 mm Hg, P < 0.02). After high-G GIK infusion, G levels increased from 109 to 331 mg/dl (P < 0.01), but exercise tolerance decreased from a mean preinfusion (Ex2) value of 159 to 74 s (P < 0.01) after this infusion. While low-G GIK had variable effects on exercise tolerance and reduced LVEDP during exercise-induced angina, high-G GIK had detrimental effects. Increasing substrate (G) availability had no beneficial effects on supine exercise tolerance in patients with angina pectoris.