Common drugs for erectile dysfunction may be better than nitroglycerin at protecting the heart after a severe heart attack.
Researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond compared nitroglycerin to Viagra (sildenafil) and Levitra (vardenafil) to see how effective the two drugs were at protecting the heart after a heart attack. Nitroglycerin is commonly used to treat angina or chest pain because it opens blood vessels to improve blood flow to the heart.
Study authors report both Viagra and Levitra reduced damage in the heart muscle of animals when it was given after a severe heart attack, but nitroglycerin did not.
"Erectile dysfunction drugs can prevent damage in the heart not only when given before a heart attack, as we discovered previously, but they also lessen the injury after the heart attack," writes lead author Rakesh C. Kukreja, Ph.D., of Virginia Commonwealth University.
Dr. Kukreja says the protective effects of erectile dysfunction drugs may help patients having elective procedures like coronary artery bypass grafts, angioplasties, or heart transplants. The drugs could also be used to prevent the organ damage that often occurs after cardiac arrest, resuscitation or shock.
"Preserving heart function is critical to optimal cardiac outcomes," writes George W. Vetrovec, M.D., of Virginia Commonwealth University. "These agents have significant potential to enhance patient outcomes, particularly in high risk circumstances, such as acute heart attacks."
Source: Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology, 2007;42:453-458
