ABSTRACT
Conversely, the increased mortality from ischemic heart disease observed in diabetic patients on oral hypoglycemic therapy, begs a radical review of drug treatment of diabetic patients with angina,169 since sulphonylureas, the most widely used oral hypoglycemic agents, block KATP channels and the possible cardioprotective effects of ischemic preconditioning. Similarly, the demonstration that antagonism of adenosine receptors prevents ischemic preconditioning during PTCA135,139
and in human atrial trabeculae,94 questions the use of agents such as methylxanthines in highrisk patients such as those with unstable angina or those undergoing revascularization procedures.
