Acute hemodynamic effects of nicorandil in coronary artery disease

Nicorandil is a potent vasodilator with antianginal and anti-ischemic properties that acts on both the coronary and the peripheral vascular bed. Because of its dual vasodilatory mechanisms mediated by an increase in cyclic GMP similar to that of nitrates and by a selective increase in the K+ conductance of the smooth muscle cell membrane, nicorandil unloads the right and left ventricles at rest and during exercise. Thus, compared with the classic nitrates, nicorandil is a more balanced vasodilator, i.e., it affects not only the venous capacitance vessels (as predominantly affected by nitrates) but also the arterial resistance vessels. In clinical pharmacologic trials, nicorandil has been administered intravenously (2 to approximately 14 mg) as well as sublingually and orally in single doses of 10-60 mg. In patients with coronary artery disease and impaired left ventricular function, the decrease in preload resulted in a significant improvement of cardiac output. Depending on the doses applied and the patient populations studied, observed decreases in systemic blood pressure were consistent with decreases in peripheral vascular resistance. The effect on heart rate was small, and no influence on atrioventricular conduction could be detected. Nicorandil enhanced exercise capacity in patients with ischemic heart disease. This benefit can be attributed to the reduction in loading of the right and left ventricle as well as to an improvement of regional wall motion abnormalities secondary to the coronary dilatory properties of the drug. Nicorandil appears to be a valuable additive to the antianginal and anti-ischemic management of coronary artery disease.