title: Comparative effects of nicorandil with isosorbide mononitrate on cardiac sympathetic nerve activity and left ventricular function in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nicorandil, an adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel opener, improves left ventricular (LV) remodeling after myocardial infarction in rat models. However, the effects of chronic nicorandil therapy on cardiac sympathetic nerve activity in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy have not been determined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-six patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (LV ejection fraction [LVEF] < 40%) who underwent successful revascularization procedure before 6 months were treated by standard conventional therapy. Eighteen patients were randomized to additionally receive nicorandil (15 mg/d), whereas the other 18 patients received isosorbide mononitrate (40 mg/d). The delayed heart-to-mediastinum count ratio (H/M ratio), delayed total defect score (TDS), and washout rate (WR) were determined from (123)I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy before and 6 months after treatment. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) and LVEF were determined by echocardiography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total defect score, H/M ratio, WR, LVEDV, and LVEF at baseline were similar for both groups. After treatment, in patients receiving nicorandil, TDS decreased from 50 +/- 6 to 40 +/- 11 (P < .005), H/M ratio increased from 1.68 +/- 0.23 to 1.79 +/- 0.26 (P = .005), and WR decreased from 46% +/- 9% to 40% +/- 12% (P < .005). In addition, LVEDV decreased from 178 +/- 31 to 157 +/- 30 mL (P < .0005), and LVEF increased from 33% +/- 6% to 39% +/- 7% (P < .05). In patients receiving isosorbide mononitrate, no significant changes were observed in these parameters. Moreover, there was a significant correlation between the percent change of LVEF and that of TDS from baseline to 6 months in the patients receiving nicorandil (r = -0.569, P < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study demonstrates improvements in cardiac (123)I-MIBG scintigraphic and echocardiographic parameters with nicorandil treatment. These findings indicate that nicorandil can improve cardiac sympathetic nerve activity and LV function in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gunma University School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan. s-kasama@bay.wind.ne.jp
authors.forename: Shu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kasama
authors.forename: Takuji
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Toyama
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hatori
authors.forename: Hisao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kumakura
authors.forename: Yoshiaki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takayama
authors.forename: Shuichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ichikawa
authors.forename: Tadashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Masahiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kurabayashi
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000294:innervation; D006801:Humans; D007548:Isosorbide Dinitrate / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020108:Nicorandil / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D020108:Nicorandil; D007548:Isosorbide Dinitrate; C030397:isosorbide-5-mononitrate