Calcium dobesilate (CLS 2210) protects the myocardium in early acute myocardial infarction: a preliminary randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of its effects on biochemical markers.

To determine the effect of calcium dobesilate (CLS 2210) on biochemical markers of acute myocardial infarction, and thereby assess its action in limiting myocardial necrosis, this compound was administered intravenously by a randomized, double-blind technique to 23 of 41 patients suffering their first infarction. The remaining 18 patients received a placebo. Administration was begun within 3 h of onset of symptoms and continued for 72 h. Before and during treatment, blood samples were taken for measurement of the serum activity of creatine kinase and its isoenzyme MB, and the serum and urinary concentrations of myoglobin and glycosaminoglycans. Serum creatine kinase and serum and urinary myoglobin were significantly lower in the CLS 2210-treated patients than in the placebo patients throughout the 72 h (p = 0.01, 0.005, and 0.004, respectively). Serum creatine kinase MB and serum glycosaminoglycan in the CLS 2210 patients were initially higher than in the controls, but fell below the control levels between the 40th and 55th hours (p = 0.89 and 0.02, respectively). The glycosaminoglycan urinary concentrations alone were higher in the CLS 2210 group than in the placebo group throughout (p = 0.0005). These findings suggest that CLS 2210 reduces myocardial infarct size in human subjects, as it is already known to do in animals.