It has previously been shown that pretreatment with ranolazine 1,000 mg twice daily for 7 days can significantly reduce procedural myocardial injury in elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The investigators tested the hypothesis that twice overnight high-dose ranolazine loading before PCI can reduce the peri-procedural myocardial ischemic damage similarly to long-term pre-treatment with standard doses.

Background

Ranolazine is a novel antianginal drug that reduces intracellular sodium and calcium accumulation during ischemia thus limiting ischemic injury.

It has previously been shown that pretreatment with ranolazine 1,000 mg twice daily for 7 days can significantly reduce procedural myocardial injury in elective percutaneous coronary intervention.

It remains unknown, however, which of these two therapeutic approaches is more effective after PCI.

Purpose

The primary objective of this study is to test the hypothesis that twice overnight high-dose ranolazine loading before PCI can reduce the peri-procedural myocardial ischemic damage similarly to long-term pre-treatment with standard doses.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Angiographically-proven coronary artery disease
• Class I indication to elective percutaneous coronary intervention
• Stable conditions
• No recent acute coronary syndromes
• Normal baseline values of markers of myocardial damage (creatine kinase, creatine kinase-MB, myoglobin, and troponin I)
• Able to understand and willing to sign the informed consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

• Women of child bearing potential patients must demonstrate a negative pregnancy test performed within 24 hours before