Effect of nicorandil administration on myocardial microcirculation during primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Mechanism of action and neuroprotective role of nicorandil in ischemic stroke

Nicorandil is a dual mechanism anti-anginal agent that acts as a nitric oxide (NO) donor and a potassium (K+) channel opener. Recent studies have evaluated the effect of nicorandil on ischemic stroke. Neurons have a low tolerance to hypoxia and therefore the brain tissue is significantly vulnerable to ischemia. Current approved treatments for ischemic stroke are tissue plasminogen activators and clot retrieval methods. The narrow therapeutic time window and lack of efficacy in restoring the dying neurons urge researchers to develop an alternative approach. In the terminal stages of anoxia, K+ channels induce hyperpolarization in various types of neuronal cells, leading to decreased neuronal activity and the preservation of the brain's energy. Nicorandil can open these K+ channels and sustain the hyperpolarization phase, which may have a neuroprotective effect during hypoxia. Additionally, we review how nicorandil can improve overall stroke outcomes through its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and edema-reducing effects. One of the major components evaluated in stroke patients is blood pressure. Studies have demonstrated that the effect of nicorandil on blood pressure is related to both its K+ channel opening and NO donating mechanisms. Since both hypertension and hypotension need correction before stroke intervention, it's crucial to consider the role of nicorandil and its impact on blood pressure. Previously published studies indicate that the right dosage of nicorandil can improve cerebral blood flow without significant changes in hemodynamic profiles. In this review, we discuss how nicorandil may contribute to better stroke outcomes based on previously published literature and laboratory findings.

Nicorandil Improves Left Ventricular Myocardial Strain in Patients With Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion

Background

Nicorandil is recommended as a second-line treatment for stable angina; however, randomized-controlled trials to evaluate the benefit of nicorandil for patients with chronic total occlusion (CTO) are lacking.

Objective

To determine whether nicorandil can improve left ventricular (LV) myocardial strain in patients with CTO.

Methods

Patients with CTO were included and randomized to the nicorandil group (n = 31) and the control group (n = 30). Nicorandil was given orally at 15 mg/day for 3 months in the nicorandil group. Three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography and the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) survey were performed at baseline and at 3 months. The primary study endpoint was the LV global area strain (GAS) at 3 months.

Results

The nicorandil and the control groups were well-matched at baseline, including the mean GAS and SAQ scores. At 3 months, GAS in the nicorandil group was significantly higher than that in the control group (−23.7 ± 6.3% vs. −20.3 ± 5.6%, respectively; p = 0.033). There were no significant differences in LV global longitudinal strain, global circumferential strain, global radial strain, LV ejection fraction, LV end-diastolic volume, and LV end-systolic volume at 3 months between the two groups. At 3 months, the SAQ scores for angina stability, angina frequency, and treatment satisfaction in the nicorandil group were significantly higher than those in the control group.

Conclusion

Nicorandil treatment can improve GAS and angina symptoms in patients with CTO.

Clinical Trial Registration

www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT05087797.

Sodium nitroprusside injection immediately before balloon inflation during percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND

No reflow or slow flow frequently occurs during percutaneous coronary inter-vention (PCI) and it is associated with adverse outcomes. Strategies should be undertaken to prevent its occurrence.

AIM

To observe whether conventional target intracoronary administration of sodium nitroprusside immediately before balloon inflation can reduce the incidence of no reflow and slow flow, which are defined as thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow grade ≤ II during PCI.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted in 740 patients with coronary artery disease admitted to Gansu Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between January 2016 and October 2020. Among them, 360 patients receiving sodium nitroprusside immediately before balloon inflation during PCI were enrolled in an experimental group between January 2019 and October 2020 and 380 patients receiving sodium nitroprusside after incident no reflow and slow flow during PCI were enrolled in a control group between January 2016 and January 2019. The occurrence of no reflow and slow flow was compared between the two groups and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were detected 1 mo after the operation.

RESULTS

After treatment, the proportion of patients with thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow grades 0 to II was lower in the experimental group than in the control group (P < 0.05). At 1 mo after treatment, LVEDD was lower and LVEF was higher in the experimental group than in the control group (P < 0.05). In terms of incidence of adverse cardiovascular events within 1 mo after treatment, in the experimental group, malignant arrhythmia occurred in three patients, intractable myocardial ischemia in three, congestive heart failure in four, and recurrent myocardial infarction in five; one patient died. In the control group, malignant arrhythmia occurred in eight patients, intractable myocardial ischemia in five, congestive heart failure in seven, and recurrent myocardial infarction in 14; two patients died. The incidence of adverse cardiovascular events was 4.4% in experimental group which was lower than that of the control group at 1 mo after operation (9.5%; P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Administration of sodium nitroprusside into target vessels immediately before balloon inflation can significantly reduce the incidence of no reflow and slow flow, improve LVEDD and LVEF, and reduce the incidence of adverse cardio-vascular events in patients treated by PCI. It is worthy of clinical promotion.

The impact of oral nicorandil pre-treatment on ST resolution and clinical outcome of patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary coronary angioplasty: A randomized placebo controlled trial

Introduction: Literature has shown the effects of intravenous/intracoronary nicorandil on increased myocardial salvage in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with mechanical reperfusion. However, the possible cardioprotective effect of oral nicorandil on the clinical outcome prior to primary coronary angioplasty is not well documented. Our aim was to assess the effect of oral nicorandil on primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI).

Methods: A total of 240 patients with acute STEMI undergoing PPCI were randomly assigned to oral nicorandil (Intervention, n=116) and placebo (Control, n=124) groups. The intervention group received 20 mg oral nicorandil at the emergency department and another 20 mg oral nicorandil in the catheterization laboratory just before the procedure. The control group received matched placebo. Our primary outcome was ST-segment resolution ≥50% one hour after primary angioplasty. Secondary outcome was in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as a composite of death, ventricular arrhythmia, heart failure and stroke.

Results: In the patients of intervention and control groups, the occurrence of ST-segment resolution ≥ 50% were 68.1% and 62.9% respectively, (P =0.27). In-hospital MACE occurred less frequently in the intervention group, compared to placebo group (11.2% vs. 22.5%, P =0.012).

Conclusion: Although the administration of oral nicorandil before primary coronary angioplasty did not improve ST-segment resolution in patients with acute STEMI, its promoting effects was remarkable on in-hospital clinical outcomes.

Clinical Registration:IRCT20140512017666N1

Effects of intracoronary injection of nicorandil and tirofiban on myocardial perfusion and short-term prognosis in elderly patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction after emergency PCI

BACKGROUND

This study investigated the effects of the intracoronary injection of nicorandil and tirofiban on myocardial perfusion and short-term prognosis in elderly patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) after emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

Seventy-eight STEMI patients with age >65 years who underwent emergency PCI were consecutively enrolled. These patients received conventional PCI and were randomly divided into a control group and a treatment group (n=39 per group). The control group received an intracoronary injection of tirofiban followed by a maintenance infusion for 36 hours after surgery. The treatment group received intracoronary injection of tirofiban and nicorandil, and then intravenous infusion of tirofiban and nicorandil 36 hours after surgery. The following parameters were measured: TIMI grade, corrected TIMI frame count (cTFC), TIMI myocardial perfusion grade (TMPG), ST-segment resolution (STR) rate 2 hours post-operatively, resolution of ST-segment elevation (STR) at 2 hours postoperatively, peak level of serum CK-MB, left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at 7-10 days postoperatively, and major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in-hospital and within 30 days post-operatively.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, more patients in the treatment group had TIMI 3 and TMPG 3, and STR after PCI was significantly higher. The treatment group also had significantly lower cTFC, lower infarction relative artery (IRA), lower peak CK-MB, and no reflow ratio after PCI. The treatment group had significantly higher LVEDD and LVEF but lower incidence of MACEs than the control group.

CONCLUSION

The intracoronary injection of nicorandil combined with tirofiban can effectively improve myocardial reperfusion in elderly STEMI patients after emergency PCI and improve short-term prognoses.