Comparison of Plasma Serotonin Levels in Patients With Variant Angina Pectoris Versus Healed Myocardial Infarction

Patients with variant angina pectoris showed greater serotonin plasma levels than did control subjects and patients with healed myocardial infarction. The levels also tended to be greater in those with >1 episode/month than in those with fewer episodes. Moreover, patients with variant angina pectoris also had greater levels of nitrite and nitrate plasma levels than did control subjects or patients with healed myocardial infarction, partly, perhaps, as a compensatory mechanism.