Nicorandil prior to primary percutaneous coronary intervention improves clinical outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background: Nicorandil prior to reperfusion by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) has been suggested to be beneficial. However, results of previous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were not consistent. We aimed to perform a meta-analysis to systematically evaluate the effect of periprocedural nicorandil in these patients. Methods: Related studies were obtained by searching PubMed, Embase and Cochrane’s Library. Effects of perioperative nicorandil on the incidence of no-reflow phenomenon (NRP), corrected thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count (CTFC), wall motion score (WMS), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), heart failure (HF) exacerbation of rehospitalization and incidence of major cardiovascular adverse events (MACE) were analyzed. Results: Eighteen RCTs with 2,055 patients were included. Treatment of nicorandil prior to PCI significantly reduced the incidence of NRP (risk ratio [RR]: 0.47, P<0.001), and reduced CTFC (weighed mean difference [WMD]: −4.54, P<0.001) immediately after PCI. Moreover, although nicorandil did not significantly affect WMS (WMD: 0.04, P=0.91), treatment of nicorandil significantly increased LVEF in STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI (WMD: 1.89%, P<0.001). In addition, nicorandil significantly reduced the risk of HF exacerbation or rehospitalization (RR: 0.44, P=0.001) and the incidence of MACE (RR: 0.68, P<0.001). Further analyses showed that effects of nicorandil on LVEF, HF exacerbation and MACE were consistent within one month after PCI and during follow-up. Conclusions: Periprocedural nicorandil improves coronary blood flow, cardiac systolic function and prognosis in STEMI patients receiving primary PCI.