Objective: To compare the effects of nicorandil (a hybrid ATP sensitive potassium channel (KATP channel) opener/nitric oxide donor) with those of isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) on myocardial microcirculation and cardiac function in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) who had undergone reperfusion treatment by direct balloon angioplasty. Design: Double blind randomised study. Patients: ...

OBJECTIVE Nicorandil is used clinically to treat angina and acts in part by opening ATP-sensitive K+ channels whose opening is also enhanced by metabolic compromise. We have therefore investigated whether treatments that mimic conditions in ischaemia can increase the potency of nicorandil to dilate coronary arteries. METHODS Ring segments from pig small coronary arteries were mounted on a myo...

Nicorandil, a new KATP channel opener, is used in clinical practice for anti-anginal therapy. It exhibits vasodilator properties as does the halogenated anaesthetic isoflurane. We have examined the cardiovascular effects of increasing concentrations of isoflurane after administration of nicorandil in 10 adult beagle dogs anaesthetized with thiopental and whose lungs were ventilated mechanically...

OBJECTIVES We assessed whether the intravenous administration of nicorandil, an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive K+ channel opener, exerts beneficial effect on microvascular function and functional and clinical outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). BACKGROUND Experimental studies documented that ATP-sensitive K+ channel opener exerts cardioprotection after prolong...

BACKGROUND Nicorandil is a nicotinamide ester commonly prescribed for treatment of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). In the present study, we aimed to explore the cardioprotective effects of nicorandil on CHD patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). MATERIAL AND METHODS One hundred patients with CHD undergoing PCI were randomly divided into a control grou...

OBJECTIVES We assessed the effects of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive potassium channel opener, nicorandil, on ATP- and verapamil-responsive ventricular tachycardias (VTs). BACKGROUND Adenosine- or ATP-sensitive VTs are thought to be due to a nonreentrant mechanism, presumably delayed afterdepolarization. We suggest that this potassium channel opener may suppress ATP- and verapamil...

Rapamycin is an immunosuppressive agent that is added to drug eluting stents. It prevents restenosis, but it also impairs reendothelialization. Nicorandil is a hybrid agent with adenosine triphosphated (ATP)-sensitive K+ (KATP) channel opener and nitrate properties. It prevents oxidative stress and cell apoptosis induced by rapamycin in endothelial cells in vitro. However, whether nicorandil pr...

I read with interest the article by Steensrud and colleagues on myocardial protection with nicorandil cardioplegia [1]. The study investigates the protective efficacy of intermittent cold blood nicorandil cardioplegia compared with intermittent standard hyperkalemic cold blood and cold crystalloid cardioplegia in pigs undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass and hearts subjected to 60 min global ische...

BACKGROUND Nicorandil, an anti-angina agent, reportedly improves outcomes even in angina patients with diabetes. However, the precise mechanism underlying the beneficial effect of nicorandil on diabetic patients has not been examined. We investigated the protective effect of nicorandil on endothelial function in diabetic rats because endothelial dysfunction is a major risk factor for cardiovasc...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Nicorandil, a potent antianginal agent characterized as a potassium channel opener, could produce cerebrovascular dilation in in vitro studies. Our aim was to investigate the pharmacologic response to the topical application of nicorandil on the vasomotor tone of pial vessels in vivo. To elucidate its mechanism, we also studied the inhibitory action of methylene blue and ...