July 10, 2026Circulation
Pharmacological Treatment of Coronary Artery Disease With Recombinant Fibroblast Growth Factor-2
Key result
Intracoronary rFGF2 fails to improve exercise tolerance or perfusion over placebo despite reducing angina.
- n=337
Why the study?
Does a single intracoronary infusion of rFGF2 improve exercise tolerance, myocardial perfusion, and symptoms in patients with coronary artery disease?
Population
337 patients with coronary artery disease
Comparison
Single intracoronary infusion of recombinant… vs Placebo
Design
RCT, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Follow-up
180 days
Authors
Discussion
Loading...
Member takes
Implication
A single intracoronary infusion of rFGF2 in patients with coronary artery disease does not improve exercise tolerance or myocardial perfusion, though it may transiently improve angina symptoms.
Key Points
- This trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of recombinant FGF2 in treating coronary artery disease.
- Multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design with 337 patients.
- Single intracoronary infusion of rFGF2 at doses of 0, 0.3, 3, or 30 microg/kg.
- Efficacy evaluated using exercise tolerance, myocardial nuclear perfusion, Seattle Angina Questionnaire, and Short-Form 36 at 90 and 180 days.
- Exercise tolerance increased at 90 days across all groups; no significant difference between rFGF2 and placebo.
- rFGF2 showed significant reduction in angina frequency (P=0.035) and improved physical component scores (P=0.033) at 90 days.
- No significant improvements observed at 180 days due to placebo group improvements; hypotension more common in the 30-microg/kg group.
Study Design
Type
RCT (n=337)
Blinding
double-blind
Randomization
randomized
Multicenter
Yes
Structured PICO
Does a single intracoronary infusion of rFGF2 improve exercise tolerance, myocardial perfusion, and symptoms in patients with coronary artery disease?
P
Population
337 patients with coronary artery disease evaluated at 90 and 180 days.
I
Intervention
Single intracoronary infusion of recombinant fibroblast growth factor-2 (rFGF2) at 0.3, 3, or 30 microg/kg
C
Comparator
Placebo (single intracoronary infusion of 0 microg/kg)
O
Outcome
Exercise tolerance test, myocardial nuclear perfusion imaging, Seattle Angina Questionnaire, and Short-Form 36 questionnaire at 90 and 180 dayssurrogate
A single intracoronary infusion of rFGF2 in patients with coronary artery disease does not improve exercise tolerance or myocardial perfusion, though it may transiently improve angina symptoms.
Cite This Study
Simons et al. (2002) conducted an RCT in coronary artery disease (n=337). recombinant fibroblast growth factor-2 (rFGF2) vs. placebo was evaluated on Exercise tolerance, myocardial nuclear perfusion imaging, Seattle Angina Questionnaire, and Short-Form 36 questionnaire at 90 and 180 days. A single intracoronary infusion of rFGF2 did not improve exercise tolerance or myocardial perfusion compared to placebo, though it reduced angina symptoms at 90 days (overall P=0.035).