The aim of the present study is to investigate wether endothelial dysfunction associated with stable coronary artery disease is altered by selective aldosterone antagonism with Eplerenone as potential anti-inflammatory drug versus placebo.

Additionally we hypothesize that selective aldosterone antagonism reduces systemic inflammatory response such as C-reactive proteine, oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Inclusion criteria:

• Male patients (> 30 years of age) with history of coronary artery disease (documented by coronary angiogram, nuclear imaging, positive stress test)
• Stable cardiovascular medication for at least 4 months Evaluation of the patients will take place at the Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiology, University Hospital Zurich.

Exclusion criteria:

• Evidence for myocardial infarction, unstable angina, stroke within 3 months prior to study entry
• coronary intervention/re-vascularisation procedure within 3 months prior to study entry
• long acting nitrates
• uncontrolled arterial hypertension, defined as RR>160/90 mmHg
• congestive heart failure (> NYHA I)
• Ejection fraction <50%
• AV-Block>I˚
• creatinine clearance <50 mL/min
• insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
• type 2 diabetes with microalbuminuria
• age < 30 years
• anemia (Hb<10 g/dl)
• malignancy chronic infection
• smoking
• serum potassium >5.5 meq/L
• drug abuse
• potassium supplements or potassium-sparing diuretics (amiloride, spironolactone, or triamterene)
• concomitant use of strong inhibitors of CYP450 3A4 (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole)
• known history of Cushing disease or Morbus Addisons or diseases of the thyroid gland

Patients with coronary heart disease