The effect of intracoronary nicorandil on coronary myocardial bridging

J Cardiovasc Pharmacol Ther. 2009 Sep;14(3):180-4. doi: 10.1177/1074248409338930. Epub 2009 Jul 15.

Abstract

Medical treatments of coronary myocardial bridging (CMB) generally include beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers. Nitrates are avoided because symptoms may worsen. Nicorandil is a hybrid of a nitrate and a potassium channel opener. However, the effect of nicorandil on CMB is unknown. We analyzed nicorandil reactivity at the site with CMB in 51 patients. Maximal and minimal diameters of CMB were measured by quantitative angiography at baseline and at 60 seconds after intracoronary administration of 200 mg nicorandil. The maximal diameter during diastole increased from 2.15 + 0.42 mm to 2.34 + 0.44 mm after administration of nicorandil (P < .001), and the minimal diameter during systole increased from 1.24 + 0.63 mm to 1.67 + 0.64 mm (P < .001). Thus, nicorandil reduced the percentage vessel narrowing from 44.0 + 26.1% to 30.3 + 21.2% (P < .001). In 22 patients, we also evaluated the effect of nitroglycerin. The maximal diameter during diastole increased from 2.25 + 0.47 mm to 2.51 + 0.44 mm after administration of nitroglycerin (P < .019), and the minimal diameter during systole decreased from 1.28 + 0.64 mm to 1.14 + 0.60 mm (P = .276). Thus, nitroglycerin augmented the percentage vessel narrowing from 44.9% + 25.0% to 56.0% + 23.5% (P = .023). These results indicate that intracoronary administration of nicorandil could dilate coronary arteries during diastole as well as systole in patients with CMB during coronary angiography.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Coronary Angiography
  • Coronary Vessels / drug effects*
  • Coronary Vessels / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardial Bridging / diagnostic imaging
  • Myocardial Bridging / drug therapy*
  • Myocardial Bridging / physiopathology
  • Nicorandil / administration & dosage*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vasodilation / drug effects*
  • Vasodilator Agents / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • Vasodilator Agents
  • Nicorandil