Abstract
In acute inferior myocardial infarction (AIMI), numerous conventional drugs that are used to improve the myocardial microcirculation can significantly reduce blood pressure (BP) and coronary perfusion pressure, aggravate bradyarrhythmia and cause a deterioration in the hemodynamic state of the whole body, which greatly limits the application of these drugs in clinical settings. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of anisodamine and nicorandil regimens on the prevention of no-reflow (NR) and the amelioration of myocardial reperfusion in patients with AIMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A total of 104 consecutive patients with AIMI were included in this study and randomly assigned to one of four groups: A (control group), B (anisodamine group), C (nicorandil group) and D (anisodamine and nicorandil group). Patients underwent PCI via transradial artery access and the angiographic results were evaluated. Coronary diastolic BP (DBP) and systolic and mean BPs were measured by invasive catheterization. The primary end-point was a post-PCI Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) myocardial perfusion grade (TMPG) of 3. Composite end-points (mortality + new MI + target vessel revascularization) were evaluated during the hospital stay and 30 days after discharge. Following the procedure, the proportion of patients achieving TMPG 3 was significantly higher in group D than that in the other groups (P=0.014); furthermore, the incidence of a postprocedural TIMI score of 3 was the highest in group D. Three days after the procedure, the peak creatine kinase-MB and cardiac troponin I levels were the lowest and the left ventricular ejection fraction was the highest in group D. A thrombus score of 3/4 and low DBP were the independent risk factors for poor myocardial reperfusion (expressed as TMPG <3), while 2 mg anisodamine plus 2 mg nicorandil prior to PCI was protective for optimal myocardial reperfusion following the procedure. The combination of anisodamine and nicorandil can effectively ameliorate myocardial reperfusion and protect cardiac function in patients with AIMI undergoing primary PCI.
Keywords: anisodamine, nicorandil, no reflow, acute inferior myocardial infarction, primary percutaneous coronary intervention
Introduction
The no-reflow (NR) phenomenon, an important manifestation of disordered myocardial microcirculation, is the failure of the blood to reperfuse an ischemic area following the removal of the physical obstruction by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or thrombolysis (1,2). The incidence and extent of NR strongly predict adverse clinical outcomes, including persistent contractile dysfunction of the left ventricle, malignant arrhythmias and cardiac death (3).
Acute inferior myocardial infarction (AIMI), in which the right coronary artery (RCA) is often the infarct-related artery (IRA), is usually indicative of two characteristics: i) A heavier thrombus burden, which significantly increases the risk of NR following primary PCI (4); and ii) unstable hemodynamic states, such as hypotension, bradycardia and high vagus tone, which can result in circulatory collapse, reperfusion injury and serious arrhythmias, including severe atrioventricular block, during primary PCI (5).
Anisodamine, a drug with multiple pharmacological effects, can maintain the stability of the hemodynamic states and increase heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), coronary perfusion pressure and heart inotropy, making it suitable for AIMI. Anisodamine is also an M-receptor blocker and can dilate the small vessels and improve the microcirculation (6). Our previous studies found that intracoronary administration of anisodamine was effective in reversing the NR following primary PCI (6–9).
Nicorandil maintains the activation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive K+ channels and induces nitric oxide production in an identical manner to that of nitrates, resulting in the dilatation of the coronary microcirculation, ischemic preconditioning, anti-arrhythmic effects and a reduction in reperfusion injury. Intravenous nicorandil administration in patients with acute MI (AMI) undergoing PCI has been shown to effectively improve left ventricular systolic function and reduce NR and slow flow (10–12); however, to the best of our knowledge, no studies have investigated the effect of intracoronary nicorandil and anisodamine administration in patients with AIMI and, therefore, the optimal dosage, administration method and safety of the combination therapy remain unknown. Based on this, the objective of the present study was to assess the effect of anisodamine and nicorandil regimens on the prevention of NR and the amelioration of myocardial reperfusion in patients with AIMI undergoing primary PCI.
Materials and methods
Study population inclusion criteria
Between September 2011 and January 2014, a total of 115 consecutive patients with AIMI who were admitted within 12 h of symptom onset and treated through primary PCI were enrolled into this open-label, randomized, controlled study. Eleven patients were excluded subsequently due to a lack of file information and an emergency status requiring surgical intervention. Consequently, the population of this study consisted of 104 patients.
Patients were eligible if they fulfilled the following criteria: i) Ischemic chest pain lasting for ≥20 min, which could not be relieved by oral nitrates; and ii) clear AIMI-related changes in the electrocardiogram (ECG) during chest pain, i.e. new ST-segment elevation with the cut-off points ≥1 mm in ≥2 standard leads or ≥2 mm in ≥2 contiguous precordial leads with or without the elevation of cardiac enzymes.
Study population exclusion criteria
Patients were excluded if one of the following characteristics was present: i) Cardiogenic shock (Killip class IV); ii) tachycardia (HR ≥100 bpm); iii) known allergy to every essential drug; iv) bleeding history; v) hepatic dysfunction; vi) renal dysfunction (creatinine >12 mg/dl); vii) thrombolysis; viii) requirement for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG); ix) contraindication to antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy; and x) previous MI. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University (Shijiazhuang, China) and the Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University (Baoding, China), and written informed consent was obtained from all patients.
Dose and timing of anisodamine and nicorandil administration
Subjects were immediately transferred to the cathlab to undergo emergency PCI (door-to-balloon ≤90 mins). The study population was divided into four groups (n=26 per group): A (control group, treated with PCI only), B (anisodamine group, treated with intracoronary anisodamine), C (nicorandil group, treated with intracoronary nicorandil) and D (anisodamine and nicorandil group, treated with intracoronary nicorandil and anisodamine). Patients received 2 mg anisodamine (Minsheng Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd., Hangzhou, China) and 2 mg nicorandil (Sihuan Kebao Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd., Beijing, China) via intracoronary administration. The optimal timing of drug administration was as follows: i) If initial Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction [TIMI (13)] grade >0, drugs can be administered into the coronary artery through the guide catheter; or ii) if initial TIMI grade=0, the guidewire should be advanced through the total occlusion to the distal site of the IRA. The anterior flow of the IRA will then recover, which means that the TIMI grade will be >0 so drugs can then be administered into the coronary artery through the guide catheter.
The administration of other medications was performed according to the current best clinical practice: Aspirin, loading dose of 300 mg and then 100 mg once daily (qd); clopidogrel, loading dose of 600 mg and then 75 mg qd; heparin, 40–70 U/kg (activated clotting time >200 sec); low-molecular-weight heparin; angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers [systolic BP (SBP) >120 mmHg]; β-blockers (HR >60 bpm) and statins. Tirofiban administration was under the careful discretion of the interventional cardiologists.
Coronary angiography and other examinations
Patients underwent PCI via transradial artery access. The initial TIMI, final TIMI/corrected TIMI frame count and TIMI myocardial perfusion grade [TMPG (14)] were evaluated by two cardiologists blinded to the clinical status of the patient and the treatment modality.
Coronary SBP, diastolic BP (DBP) and mean BP were measured by invasive catheterization before and 1, 5 and 10 min after anisodamine and nicorandil administration. Infarct size was estimated by peak levels of creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and troponin I (cTnI), which were determined before and every 4 h after the procedure using a Coulter LH 780 Hematology Analyzer (Beckman Coulter Ireland Inc., Galway, Ireland).
A 12-lead ECG was recorded both on admission and 90 min after PCI. ST-segment elevation was recorded 20 msec after the J point. The sum ST-segment elevation was calculated in leads II, III and aVF for inferior infarction. A decrease in the sum ST-segment elevation by ≥70% was categorized as complete ST-segment resolution (STR) (15) and used as an indirect measure of myocardial reperfusion following PCI (16).
Primary end-point
The primary end point was a TMPG of 3 (17) following the procedure.
Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs)
The MACEs included i) all-cause mortality; ii) new MI, as indicated by the onset of recurrent ischemic chest pain lasting ≥30 min with new ST-T segment changes of ≥24 h duration or new pathologic Q waves (≥2 leads) and an elevation in serum CK levels to >2-fold the normal upper limit or an elevated CK-MB fraction value; iii) target vessel revascularization (TVR) for recurrent ischemia or acute stent occlusion, including repeat PCI or CABG. Composite end-points, i.e. mortality + new MI + TVR) were evaluated during the hospital stay and 30 days after discharge.
Statistical analysis
In the PCI era, a reasonable estimate of the proportion of patients achieving optimal myocardial reperfusion (TMPG 3) among patients without cardiogenic shock undergoing PCI is ~50% (1). It is speculated that the proportion of patients achieving a postprocedural TMPG of 3 can reach 90% following anisodamine and nicorandil administration. Accordingly, ≥26 patients per group were required for the power of the test set at 0.8 and the statistical significance level (two-sided) at 0.025.
Continuous variables are expressed as the mean ± standard deviation, and categorical variables are presented as percentages. Continuous variables were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and proportions were compared using the χ2 or Fisher's exact tests. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the possible factors associated with the optimal myocardial reperfusion (TMPG 3). For the peak CK-MB and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), factorial design ANOVA was applied to elucidate the main effects and interactions of the two drugs. A Student-Newman-Keuls (q) test was used for post hoc analysis if there was a significant difference among the groups. Two-sided P-values of <0.05 were considered statistically significant. All calculations were computed with the aid of SPSS statistical software (version 16.0; SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).
Results
Main demographic and clinical characteristics
No significant differences in age, gender, past medical histories (hypertension, diabetes, current smokers, previous angina/MI/PCI) and basic medication use were found among the four groups (Table I).
Table I.
Main demographic/clinical features.
| Variables | Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | F/χ2 | P-value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age, years | 59.8±4.8 | 58.9±5.1 | 57.6±4.7 | 58.6±4.5 | 0.223 | 0.889 |
| Male, n (%) | 19 (73.1) | 17 (65.4) | 18 (69.2) | 21 (80.8) | 1.619 | 0.647 |
| BMI, kg/m2 | 20.5±2.6 | 21.2±2.5 | 20.9±2.0 | 19.9±1.8 | 0.608 | 0.611 |
| Hypertension, n (%) | 12 (46.2) | 14 (53.8) | 10 (38.5) | 11 (42.3) | 1.228 | 0.727 |
| Diabetes, n (%) | 8 (30.8) | 7 (26.9) | 5 (19.2) | 9 (34.6) | 1.409 | 0.712 |
| Hyperlipidemia, n (%) | 6 (23.1) | 8 (30.8) | 5 (19.2) | 6 (23.1) | 0.969 | 0.805 |
| Current smokers, n (%) | 17 (65.4) | 16 (61.5) | 15 (57.7) | 20 (76.9) | 1.782 | 0.604 |
| Family history of CHD, n (%) | 6 (23.1) | 7 (26.9) | 4 (15.4) | 9 (34.6) | 2.156 | 0.526 |
| Preinfarction angina, n (%) | 5 (19.2) | 4 (15.4) | 8 (30.8) | 5 (19.2) | 2.026 | 0.544 |
| Previous MI, n (%) | 3 (11.5) | 3 (11.5) | 4 (15.4) | 3 (11.5) | 0.335 | 0.934 |
| Previous PCI, n (%) | 2 (7.7) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (7.7) | 4 (15.4) | 2.837 | 0.412 |
| Killip class >1, n (%) | 4 (15.4) | 5 (19.2) | 7 (26.9) | 6 (23.1) | 0.754 | 0.826 |
| SCr, µmoI/l | 82.1±12.5 | 82.9±17.1 | 83.1±12.8 | 84.5±17.6 | 0.311 | 0.749 |
| Medications, n (%) | ||||||
| Aspirin | 26 (100) | 26 (100) | 26 (100) | 26 (100) | – | – |
| Clopidogrel | 26 (100) | 26 (100) | 26 (100) | 26 (100) | – | – |
| Statin | 26 (100) | 26 (100) | 26 (100) | 26 (100) | – | – |
| ACEI/ARB | 18 (69.2) | 20 (76.9) | 21 (80.8) | 16 (61.5) | 2.727 | 0.428 |
| β-blockers | 7 (26.9) | 10 (38.5) | 9 (34.6) | 11 (42.3) | 0.824 | 0.821 |
| Tirofiban | 2 (7.7) | 4 (15.4) | 2 (7.7) | 3 (11.5) | 1.594 | 0.653 |
n=26 per group. Group A, control; group B, 2 mg anisodamine; group C, 2 mg nicorandil; group D, 2 mg anisodamine and 2 mg nicorandil; BMI, body mass index; CHD, coronary heart disease; MI, myocardial infarction; PCI, percutaneous coronary intervention; SCr, serum creatinine; ACEI, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors; ARB, angiotensin receptor blockers.
Procedural characteristics
In the four groups, the IRA was predominantly the RCA followed by the left circumflex; in excess of one-half of the IRAs had a thrombus score of 3/4 (18). Following the procedure, the proportion of TMPG 3 cases was significantly higher in group D than that in other groups (P=0.014); furthermore, the proportions of postprocedural TIMI 3 and complete STR cases were the highest in group D, although no significant differences were found (P=0.067 and 0.052, respectively) (Table II).
Table II.
Procedural characteristics.
| Variables | Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | F/χ2 | P-value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onset to balloon, h | 6.8±1.6 | 7.2±1.7 | 7.5±1.6 | 6.7±2.0 | 1.952 | 0.132 |
| Door to balloon, min | 65.8±17.5 | 73.5±20.81 | 60.1±18.2 | 65.1±20.6 | 0.975 | 0.420 |
| IRA, n (%) | ||||||
| RCA | 20 (76.9) | 16 (61.5) | 22 (84.6) | 23 (88.5) | 3.855 | 0.290 |
| LCX | 8 (30.8) | 11 (42.3) | 7 (26.9) | 6 (23.1) | 2.957 | 0.429 |
| LAD | 0 (0.0) | 1 (3.85) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 2.935 | 0.420 |
| Thrombus scores, n (%) | ||||||
| 0 | 5 (19.2) | 2 (7.7) | 4 (15.4) | 3 (11.5) | 0.985 | 0.872 |
| 1–2 | 10 (38.5) | 8 (30.8) | 8 (30.8) | 12 (46.2) | 1.219 | 0.772 |
| 3–4 | 17 (65.4) | 15 (57.7) | 16 (61.5) | 16 (61.5) | 1.023 | 0.795 |
| TIMI 3 pre-PCI, n (%) | 3 (11.5) | 2 (7.7) | 2 (7.7) | 2 (11.5) | 1.013 | 1.271 |
| Mean TIMI score pre-PCI, n (%) | 0.83±1.61 | 0.65±1.02 | 0.58±0.78 | 0.50±0.68 | 0.320 | 0.765 |
| TIMI 3 post-PCI, n (%) | 20 (76.9) | 22 (84.6) | 21 (80.8) | 24 (92.3) | 7.657 | 0.067 |
| Mean TIMI score post-PCI, n (%) | 2.79±0.57 | 2.82±0.19 | 2.76±0.50 | 3.00±0.00 | 2.016 | 0.122 |
| TMPG 3 post-PCI, n (%) | 17 (65.4) | 21 (80.8) | 20 (76.9) | 23 (88.5) | 1.065 | 0.014 |
| Mean TMPG post-PCI, n (%) | 2.58±0.78 | 2.80±0.52 | 3.05±0.49 | 3.12±0.00 | 2.535 | 0.073 |
| Stents per patient, n (%) | 1.5±0.9 | 1.7±1.1 | 1.6±0.8 | 1.6±0.7 | 0.312 | 0.764 |
| Complete STR, n (%) | 17 (65.4) | 21 (80.8) | 21 (80.8) | 25 (96.2) | 7.631 | 0.052 |
n=26 per group. Group A, control; group B, 2 mg anisodamine; group C, 2 mg nicorandi; group D, 2 mg anisodamine and 2 mg nicorandil; IRA, infarct-related artery; RCA, right coronary artery; LCX, left circumflex; LAD, left anterior descending; TIMI, Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction; TMPG, TIMI myocardial perfusion grade; STR, ST-segment resolution.
Main clinical index and follow up
Three days after the procedure, the peak CK-MB and cTnI levels were the lowest and the LVEF was highest in group D. Nicorandil had no obvious effect on the vital signs during and following the procedure. Anisodamine elevated the BP and HR. One patient in group B developed paroxysmal atrial tachycardia; however, no other severe tachyarrhythmias, such as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, were observed during or following the procedure. The incidence of MACEs during hospitalization and the 30-day follow-up after discharge did not differ among the four groups (Table III and Fig. 1).
Table III.
Main clinical index and follow up.
| Variables | Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | F/χ2 | P-value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak CK-MB, U/l | 281.9±56.5 | 243.7±58.1 | 258.6±65.5 | 141.9±42.3 | 39.328 | <0.001 |
| Peak cTnI, ng/ml | 64.8±19.8 | 56.9±18.9 | 61.4±21.1 | 50.2±18.1 | 4.875 | 0.005 |
| LVEF, % | 51.9±4.5 | 56.8±4.7 | 49.3±3.8 | 58.1±3.8 | 6.875 | <0.001 |
| BP and HR before treatment | ||||||
| SBP, mmHg | 108.1±11.7 | 106.3±13.3 | 104.3±13.6 | 105.7±12.5 | 0.039 | 0.971 |
| DBP, mmHg | 64.1±8.7 | 61.9±8.1 | 63.7±9.8 | 62.8±7.3 | 0.835 | 0.478 |
| MBP, mmHg | 78.8±6.0 | 76.7±7.2 | 77.2±8.2 | 77.1±2.3 | 0.393 | 0.741 |
| HR, bpm | 51.8±9.4 | 52.6±5.5 | 52.5±6.0 | 58.3±9.2 | 0.482 | 0.701 |
| BPmax and HRmax after treatment | ||||||
| SBP, mmHg | 114.1±10.5 | 129.5±11.8 | 116.4±18.4 | 130.6±17.2 | 3.547 | 0.026 |
| DBP, mmHg | 71.0±12.8 | 76.2±18.2 | 69.4±4.9 | 78.4±2.5 | 2.978 | 0.035 |
| MBP, mmHg | 85.4±8.9 | 94.0±7.3 | 85.1±6.3 | 95.8±3.0 | 6.005 | 0.011 |
| HR, bpm | 62.6±9.1 | 71.6±9.1 | 63.5±7.3 | 72.2±7.3 | 2.035 | 0.213 |
| In-hospital MACEs, n (%) | ||||||
| Total | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | – | – |
| Mortality | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | ||
| New MI | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | ||
| TVR | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | ||
| MACEs during 30-day follow-up, n (%) | 4.371 | 0.362 | ||||
| Total | 3 (11.5) | 1 (3.8) | 2 (7.7) | 0 (0.0) | ||
| Mortality | 1 (3.8) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (3.8) | 0 (0.0) | ||
| New MI | 1 (3.8) | 1 (3.8) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | ||
| TVR | 1 (3.8) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (3.8) | 0 (0.0) | ||
| PAT, n (%) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (3.8) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 2.499 | 0.398 |
| VT/VF, n (%) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | – | – |
n=26 per group. Group A, control; group B, 2 mg anisodamine; group C, 2 mg nicorandil; group D, 2 mg anisodamine and 2 mg nicorandil; CK-MB, creatine kinase-MB; cTnI, cardiac troponin I; LVEF, left ventricular ejection fraction; SBP, systolic blood pressure; DBP, diastolic blood pressure; MBP, mean blood pressure; HR, heart rate; MACE, major adverse cardiovascular event; MI, myocardial infarction;TVR, target vessel revascularization; VT, ventricular tachycardia; VF, ventricular fibrillation; PAT, paroxysmal atrial tachycardia.
Figure 1.
Main clinical index and follow-up. Interactions of anisodamine and nicorandil for (A) peak CK-MB and (B) LVEF. CK-MB, creatine kinase-MB; LVEF, left ventricular ejection fraction.
Predictors of TMPG 3 by multivariate logistic analysis
A number of variables associated with the TMPG following the procedures were enrolled into the multivariate logistic regression model. The result showed that a thrombus score of 3/4 and low DBP prior to anisodamine and nicorandil administration were the independent risk factors for poor myocardial reperfusion (expressed as TMPG <3), while 2 mg anisodamine and 2 mg nicorandil prior to PCI were associated with optimal myocardial reperfusion following the procedure (Table IV).
Table IV.
Predictors of TIMI myocardial perfusion grade 3 by multivariate logistic analysis.
| Variables | P-value | OR | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age | 0.987 | 1.008 | 0.870–1.165 |
| Male | 0.959 | 0.968 | 0.249–3.671 |
| Thrombus scores 3/4 | 0.037 | 0.177 | 0.029–0.908 |
| TIMI grade 3 pre-PCI | 0.521 | 2.254 | 0.178–26.024 |
| DBP before treatment | 0.048 | 1.075 | 1.002–1.169 |
| Anisodamine (2 mg) | 0.040 | 3.483 | 1.042–11.549 |
| Nicorandil (2 mg) | 0.047 | 2.501 | 0.739–8.346 |
TIMI, Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction; PCI, percutaneous coronary intervention; DBP, diastolic blood pressure; OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval.
Discussion
As an important manifestation of disordered myocardial microcirculation, NR is a multifactorial phenomenon associated with numerous pathological changes that eventually lead to microvascular obstruction and impaired myocardial perfusion (14,19,20). The main factors that contribute to NR are as follows: i) Damage to the microvascular structure by endothelial and myocardial cell edema, which leads to microcirculatory compression and cell ischemia; ii) ischemia-reperfusion injury-induced endothelial swelling, interstitial and intracellular edema and intraluminal microthrombi (14); iii) microvascular spasms caused by a dysfunctional endothelium and potent vasoconstrictors (serotonin, angiotensin II, endothelin-1) (21); iv) enhanced tissue damage due to mechanical obstruction of leukocytes and their released products; v) obstruction of the microcirculation by microemboli consisting of thrombus fragments, blood cell aggregates, platelet plugs and atherosclerotic debris (22); and vi) extrinsic coagulation pathway activation (22).
TIMI grades reflect the epicardial blood perfusion, while the TMPG reflects myocardial tissue perfusion. Patients with NR, even those with TIMI score 3 but TMPG <2, are likely to suffer from adverse cardiovascular complications and poor clinical prognosis; therefore, while epicardial blood perfusion should be monitored, more attention should be paid to myocardial tissue perfusion. Blood perfusion without tissue perfusion is equal to no blood. The prevention of NR is crucial due to the fact that, to date, treatments are still lacking.
In the 1970s, anisodamine was used in the treatment of bacteremic shock (23) which was, in essence, a microcirculation disorder. NR is a myocardial microcirculation disorder, which is similar to bacteremic shock. It is therefore reasonable that anisodamine is used for the improvement of myocardial microcirculation.
The mechanisms of anisodamine in the prevention of NR and improvement of myocardial microcirculation are suggested to be multifactorial. Anisodamine relieves the spasms of conductive arteries, prearterioles and arterioles, dredges the coronary microcirculation and restores the autonomic microvascular rhythm of tide-like perfusion, which is destroyed by NR. Furthermore, anisodamine acts to increase the coronary perfusion pressure by increasing the BP (particularly the DBP and mean BP) and HR, which is beneficial for the correction of NR and the improvement of coronary microcirculation. In addition, anisodamine inhibits the acetylcholine receptor and regulates the rebalance between the sympathetic and vagus nervous systems, corrects hypotension and bradycardia and maintains hemodynamic stabilization. To a certain extent, anisodamine has a similar role to a calcium channel antagonist; thus, it can prevent intracellular calcium overload and attenuate microcirculatory spasms (6). By inhibiting lipid superoxidation and oxygen free radical formation, anisodamine can additionally lessen endothelial cell injury (24). Finally, anisodamine can alleviate the oppression of myocardial swelling on the microcirculation so as to improve the coronary antegrade blood flow (25). The present study showed that the intracoronary administration of 2 mg anisodamine was safe; with the exception of one patient developing paroxysmal atrial tachycardia, no other severe tachyarrhythmias were observed during or following the procedure. Anisodamine elevated BP and HR, increased the coronary perfusion pressure and ameliorated the myocardial reperfusion, thus enhancing the clinical prognosis.
Intravenous nicorandil acts to dilate the coronary artery microvasculature, induces antiarrhythmic effects and reduces reperfusion injury via ATP-sensitive K+ channels. A previous study reported that, in AMI, intravenous nicorandil administration reduced injury to the myocardium and improved heart function, as shown by quantitative thallium single-photon emission computerized tomography analysis and echocardiographic regional wall motion scoring, respectively (26). In a different study, nicorandil administration in patients with AMI led to reductions in NR (nicorandil group 15% vs. control group 33%), ventricular arrhythmia, heart failure and in-hospital mortality (27). A number of explanations have been suggested for these effects. First, the suppression of the Na+/Ca2+ exchange and the reduction in the myocardial calcium levels following the activation of ATP-sensitive K+ channels may minimize the injury to the myocardium. Secondly, nicorandil exerts a protective effect on the heart by improving coronary blood flow: Nicorandil reduces neutrophil activation, which can suppress the inflammatory reactions and thereby reduce the resistance of the microvasculature. Finally, by dilating microvessels with a diameter of <100 µm, nicorandil can decrease the preload of the heart and improve myocardial microcirculation (28). A previous study examined an intracoronary nicorandil group, a combined intravenous and intracoronary group and a control group in a series of AMIs; compared with the other two groups, the intracoronary nicorandil group exhibited reductions in reperfusion arrhythmia, NR, slow flow and chest pain (composite end-point 13% in the intracoronary group vs. 33% in the control group), although the differences were not significant (11); however, the dosage of intracoronary nicorandil used in the study was low (0.5 mg per dose, maximum dose 1–2 mg). In the present study, intracoronary nicorandil administration in AIMI led to similar results to those observed for intravenous nicorandil administration (15). The present study showed that intracoronary nicorandil administration (2 mg) was safe and effective in improving post-PCI TIMI and TMPG.
The results of this study showed that anisodamine and nicorandil could improve TIMI blood flow and TMPG, promote complete STR following the procedure, notably decrease the post-procedural peak levels of CK-MB and cTnI (indicating that the size of MI was decreased) and significantly improve the cardiac function (reflected by LVEF). This study demonstrated that anisodamine and nicorandil exhibited cooperative interactions and that the efficacy of anisodamine and nicorandil was superior to that of the other regimens. The data from this study also showed that a thrombus score of 3/4 and low DBP prior to treatment were the independent risk factors for poor myocardial reperfusion (expressed as TMPG <3), while anisodamine and nicorandil (2 mg each) prior to PCI were associated with optimal myocardial reperfusion following the procedure. In conclusion, a combinatorial therapy of anisodamine and nicorandil is an effective means of ameliorating myocardial reperfusion and protecting cardiac function in patients with AIMI undergoing primary PCI.
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