Plasma norepinephrine concentration in the coronary sinus in cardiomyopathies

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Abstract
In order to evaluate the cardiac sympathetic nerve tone in cardiomyopathies, plasma norepinephrine concentration in the coronary sinus (NECS) and artery (NEA) was measured by THI method in five patients with the hypertrophic type (HCM) and in seven with the congestive type (CCM); six patients with functional murmur served as controls. NECS was 182 ± 39 ng/liter (SEM) in HCM, 288 ± 47 in CCM, and 306 ± 65 in controls. The NECS – NEA difference (Δ) was 9 ± 22 ng/liter in HCM, −57 ± 34 in CCM, and 81 ± 29 in controls. Norepinephrine overflow into the coronary sinus, which was calculated by multiplying coronary sinus plasma flow by Δ, was 0.54 ± 0.86 ng/min/100gm, −2.81 ± 1.47, and 3.73 ± 1.77, respectively. Norepinephrine overflow and Δ were significantly lower in CCM than in controls. The results suggest that an excessive sympathetic discharge does not exist in HCM and that cardiac sympathetic activity is reduced in CCM.