Protective Effect of Nicorandil on Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury After Emergency Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of nicorandil on contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CIAKI) in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) after emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: This is a single-center, retrospective control study. A total of 156 patients with STEMI were divided into the nicorandil group (n = 55) and the control group (n = 101). The incidence of CIAKI, defined as an increase of >25% or absolute values > 44.2 μmol/L in serum creatinine (Scr) from baseline within 72 h of exposure to a contrast agent after exclusion of other causes, was the primary endpoint. The secondary endpoints were: (1) changes of Scr, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), uric acid, and β2-microglobulin at 24/48/72 h and 5 to 7 days after PCI; (2) the peak value difference of creatine kinase isoenzymes (CK-MB) after PCI; (3) adverse events within 6 months after PCI. Results: The overall incidence of CIAKI was 21.8%; the incidence of CIAKI in the nicorandil group was significantly lower (12.7% [7/55]) than in the control group (26.7% [27/101]) (P = .043). Compared with the control group, Scr, uric acid, and β2-microglobulin levels were lower, and the level of eGFR was higher in nicorandil group (P all < .05). The peak value of CK-MB in the nicorandil group was lower than that in the control group (105.30 [56.61, 232.04] vs 178.00 [77.08, 271.91]U/L, P = .042). There was no significant difference in adverse events between the 2 groups within 6 months after PCI. Moreover, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that hypertension and diabetes were independent risk factors for CIAKI, while nicorandil treatment was a protective factor. Conclusion: Our data suggest that intravenous nicorandil after emergency PCI has a protective effect on the occurrence of CIAKI in STEMI patients.