Abstract
Nicorandil clearly has beneficial effects on the long-term outcomes of patients with ischemic heart disease. However, only a few clinical studies have been conducted to evaluate the effect of this compound on the perioperative outcome of patients. One group examined the effects of nicorandil iv from the commencement of general anesthesia to 15 hrs after coronary reperfusion through levels of markers indicating cardiac injury in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. Others conducted a study which evaluated the effects of intraoperative nicorandil iv on cardiovascular events up to the 5th postoperative day in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. These studies documented slight but significant beneficial effects of nicorandil iv on the outcome of patients. Further studies are needed to clarify the effects of perioperative nicorandil on the long-term outcomes of surgical patients.
