Effect of Combined Intracoronary Adenosine and Nicorandil on No-Reflow Phenomenon During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Abstract

Background This study aimed to clarify the effect of intracoronary administration of combined adenosine and nicorandil on the no-reflow phenomenon. Methods and Results Fifty patients (67±10 years, 30 male) with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) who developed no-reflow phenomenon during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between June 2001 and May 2003 comprised the study group, which was divided into 2 groups: group I [25 patients, 67±10 years, 13 male; adenosine (24 μg/ml) alone in addition to nitrate] and group II [25 patients, 66±9 years, 17 male; combined intracoronary administration of adenosine and nicorandil (2 mg/ml) in addition to nitrate]. In-hospital and 6-month major adverse cardiac events (MACE) after PCI were compared between the 2 groups. Risk factors of coronary disease, left ventricular ejection fraction and wall motion score were not significantly different between the 2 groups (p=NS). Time interval from the onset of chest pain to PCI, number of involved vessels, lesion type according to ACC/AHA classification and TIMI flow grade (TFG) were not significantly different in both groups (p=NS). Incidence of thrombosis or dissection after balloon angioplasty, diameter and length of stent, and use of Reopro® during PCI were not significantly different. TFG after PCI (2.0±0.9 vs 2.6±0.6, p=0.024), ΔTFG (1.5±1.1 vs 2.2±1.0, p=0.033) and difference in TIMI frame count (TFC) before and after PCI (ΔTFC) were greater in group II than group I (45.2±24.5 vs 63.6±23.2, p=0.014). Myocardial blush score 3 was obtained more frequently in group II than group I (44% vs 76%, p=0.014). In-hospital death did not occur in any of group II, but 4 patients of group I died (p=0.043). Two cases of MACE developed in each group and heart failure occurred in 3 (12%) of group I and 1 (4%) of group II patients during the 6-month follow-up (p=NS). Conclusions Intracoronary administration of adenosine combined with nicorandil may improve both the occurrence of no-reflow in patients during PCI for AMI and short-term clinical outcome, compared with adenosine alone. (Circ J 2004; 68: 928 - 932)