Recovery of contractile function in post-ischaemic reperfused myocardium of conscious dogs: influence of nicorandil, a new antianginal agent.

The effects of intravenous administration of nicorandil, a new antianginal agent, on the recovery of regional myocardial contractile function after a 10 minute coronary artery occlusion were studied in chronically instrumented conscious dogs. Compared with the control group nicorandil administration resulted in an increase in heart rate and a decrease in blood pressure with an overall increase in the double product during the preocclusion period, no significant difference in double product during ischaemia, and a significant decrease in double product during reperfusion. After reperfusion the return of regional contractile function was appreciably enhanced in the nicorandil treated group. These effects were seen immediately after coronary reflow and persisted throughout the reperfusion period. These data suggest that nicorandil protects ischaemic cardiac tissue, and that the beneficial actions may be mediated through a reduction in left ventricular afterload.