MODULATION OF THE EXPRESSION OF THE GRANULOCYTE ADHESION MOLECULE, CR3, BY PERCUTANEOUS TRANSLUMINAL CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY AND CONTRAST-MEDIA

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES. The effects of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and iodinated contrast media on the functional state of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) were determined; the expression of the PMN adhesion molecule, CR3, was assessed. METHODS. CR3 expression was measured by flow cytometry in whole blood samples in vivo, before and after PTCA (n = 17) or coronary angiography (n = 16); and in vitro, before and after incubation of PMNs with iodinated contrast media (n = 5). RESULTS. CR3 expression (mean +/- standard error of the mean, arbitrary units) decreased significantly after PTCA (221 +/- 25 to 168 +/- 21, P < .005) and coronary angiography (297 +/- 43 to 218 +/- 25, P < .05). In vitro, there was a dose-dependent decrease of CR3 expression and a significant and strong inverse correlation between CR3 expression and the contrast agent concentrations regardless of the type of contrast agent used. CONCLUSIONS. These data suggest that PTCA does not activate circulating PMNs, and that contrast media decrease CR3 expression. Whether this is related to the systemic adverse effects of contrast media remains to be clarified.