Effect of azithromycin therapy on coronary circulation in patients with coronary artery disease.

Author(s): Hyodo E, Hozumi T, Takemoto Y, Fujimoto K, Watanabe H, Muro T, Shimada K, Akioka K, Yoshiyama M, Takeuchi K, Yoshikawa J

Affiliation(s): Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Osaka City University School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.

Publication date & source: 2004-12-01, Am J Cardiol., 94(11):1426-9.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

This study examined the effect of azithromycin therapy on the coronary microcirculation using measurement of coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography in 35 patients with coronary artery disease. CFVR increased significantly after azithromycin therapy (3.0 +/- 0.7 vs 3.5 +/- 0.7, p <0.001). The changes in CFVR were negatively correlated with changes in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels in patients receiving azithromycin.