Intravenous nicorandil can reduce the occurrence of ventricular fibrillation and QT dispersion in patients with successful coronary angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction.
BACKGROUND
Because nicorandil, a potassium channel opener, has a cardioprotective effect and attenuates reperfusion injury in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), intravenous nicorandil should reduce arrhythmic mortality and QT dispersion in patients with AMI.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether intravenous nicorandil reduces the occurrence of ventricular fibrillation and QT dispersion in patients with successful coronary angioplasty in AMI.


METHODS
A historical cohort study on the effect of nicorandil on ventricular fibrillation and QT dispersion was conducted. Eighty-three patients with AMI who underwent successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) were enrolled. The patients were divided into two groups: nicorandil (n=46) and control group (n=37). Nicorandil was injected at 4 mg/h continuously from admission to 48 h after PTCA in the nicorandil group. QT dispersion was measured before, immediately after, 24 h after and 48 h after PTCA.


RESULTS
Ventricular fibrillation was observed in three patients in the control group, but none was observed in the nicorandil group. QT dispersion in the nicorandil group was shorter than that in the control group 48 h after PTCA (QT dispersion was 23.2+/-16.1 ms and 33.4+/-24.0 ms, respectively, P<0.05). There was a significant difference between the two groups in time course after the onset of AMI (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Because intravenous nicorandil reduces the occurrence of ventricular fibrillation and QT dispersion in patients with successful coronary angioplasty in AMI, it would prevent the occurrence of cardiac events after successful PTCA for AMI.
Ueda
Hiroyasu
H
Department of Cardiology, Ishikiriseiki Hospital, Osaka, Japan. cardiology@ishikiriseiki.or.jp
Nakayama
Yasunori
Y
Tsumura
Kei
K
Yoshimaru
Kiyomichi
K
Hayashi
Tomoshige
T
Yoshikawa
Junichi
J
D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D020108:Nicorandil / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D020108:Nicorandil