Angina

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What Is Angina?

Angina is chest pain or discomfort that occurs when your heart muscle does not get enough blood. Angina may feel like pressure or a squeezing pain in your chest. The pain may also occur in your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back. It may also feel like indigestion.

Angina is a symptom of coronary artery disease (CAD), the most common type of heart disease. CAD occurs when plaque builds up in the coronary arteries. This buildup of plaque is called atherosclerosis. As plaque builds up, the coronary arteries become narrow and stiff. Blood flow to the heart is reduced. This decreases the oxygen supply to the heart muscle.

What Types of Angina Are There?

The three types of angina are stable, unstable, and variant (Prinzmetal's). It is very important to know the differences among the types.

* Stable angina. Stable angina is the most common type. It occurs when the heart is working harder than usual.

There is a regular pattern to stable angina. After several episodes, you learn to recognize the pattern and can predict when it will occur.

The pain usually goes away in a few minutes after you rest or take your angina medicine.

Stable angina is not a heart attack but makes it more likely that you will have a heart attack in the future.

* Unstable angina. Unstable angina is a very dangerous condition that requires emergency treatment. It is a sign that a heart attack could occur soon. Unlike stable angina, it does not follow a pattern. It can occur without physical exertion and is not relieved by rest or medicine.

* Variant angina. Variant angina is rare. It usually occurs at rest. The pain can be severe and usually occurs between midnight and early morning. It is relieved by medicine.

Not all chest pain or discomfort is angina. Chest pain or discomfort can be caused by a heart attack, lung problems (such as an infection or a blood clot), heartburn, or a panic attack. However, all chest pain should be checked by a doctor.

Source: National Institutes of Health

CV Therapeutics' Anti-Ischemic Agent Ranexa(R) Significantly Reduces HbA1c and Other Markers of Diabetes in MERLIN TIMI-36

The findings were presented today at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in Orlando, Florida by Dr. David Morrow of the TIMI Study Group.

In patients with diabetes treated with Ranexa in the study, at four months HbA1c had declined approximately 0.7 percentage points, from a starting mean baseline of 7.5 to 6.8 percent, and 0.43 percentage points compared to placebo (p<0.001). Patients taking Ranexa were significantly more likely (p<0.001) to achieve the HbA1c treatment target of less than 7.0 percent, with 59 percent of diabetic patients on Ranexa achieving this target at four months.

Patients without diabetes at baseline who received Ranexa had a 32 percent reduction (p=3D0.003) in their risk of newly diagnosed hyperglycemia (as defined by having an HbA1c of greater than 6.0 percent or a new fasting glucose of more than 110mg/dL). Worsening hyperglycemia (defined as greater than a one percent increase in HbA1c) was 37 percent less likely (p<0.001) in the Ranexa treated group and no increased hypoglycemia or weight gain were observed in Ranexa patients compared to placebo.

"The results of the MERLIN TIMI-36 study confirm that ranolazine is a safe and effective anti-ischemic drug that also has favorable effects on arrhythmia and HbA1c," Morrow said. "The reduction in HbA1c observed with ranolazine in the MERLIN TIMI-36 study is especially striking because the effects were observed on top of multiple other anti-diabetic drugs used as part of standard therapy."

In accordance with a special protocol assessment agreement between the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CV Therapeutics, the Company believes that data from the MERLIN TIMI-36 study could support expansion of the existing Ranexa indication to first line angina. In September 2007, the Company submitted a supplemental new drug application to the FDA seeking a new indication for first line angina and a significant reduction in cautionary language.

Ranexa is currently indicated for the treatment of chronic angina in patients who have not achieved an adequate response with other antianginal drugs, and should be used in combination with amlodipine, beta-blockers or nitrates.

Keywords: Biotechnology Business, Biotechnology Company, CV Therapeutics, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Hyperglycemia, Therapy, Treatment, CV Therapeutics Inc.

This article was prepared by Biotech Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Biotech Business Week via NewsRx.com.