Effects of nicardipine and nitroglycerin on perioperative myocardial ischemia in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery.

TitleEffects of nicardipine and nitroglycerin on perioperative myocardial ischemia in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1999
AuthorsApostolidou I, Skubas NJ, Bakola A, Hogue CW, Despotis GJ, McCawley CA, Lappas DG
JournalSemin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg
Volume11
Issue2
Pagination77-83
Date Published1999 Apr
ISSN1043-0679
KeywordsCalcium Channel Blockers, Coronary Artery Bypass, Female, Hemodynamics, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Myocardial Ischemia, Nicardipine, Nitroglycerin, Prospective Studies, Vasodilator Agents
Abstract

Perioperative myocardial ischemic episodes are predictive of adverse cardiac outcomes after coronary artery bypass surgery. We compared the efficacy of continuous infusions of nicardipine (group NIC) and nitroglycerin (group NTG) in reducing the frequency and severity of myocardial ischemic episodes. Patients received either a nicardipine infusion, 0.7 to 1.4 microg/kg/min (n = 30), nitroglycerin infusion, 0.5 to 1 microg/kg/min (n = 30), or neither medication (group C; n = 17) after aortic occlusion clamp release and for 24 hours postoperatively. Myocardial ischemic episodes were considered as ST segment depressions or elevations of 1 mm or greater from baseline, each at J + 60 milliseconds and lasting 1 minute or greater, using a two-channel Holter monitor. Only nicardipine significantly decreased the duration (3.2 +/- 1.2 min/h) and the area under the ST time curve (AUC; 5.7 +/- 15.7 AUC/h) of 1-mm or greater myocardial ischemic episodes compared with group C (17.2 +/- 5.6 min/h and 30.1 +/- 49 AUC/h, respectively) during the intraoperative postbypass period. A trend toward lower frequency, duration, and area under the ST time curve of myocardial ischemic episodes was observed in group NIC compared with group NTG. Cardiac indices and mixed venous oxygen saturations were significantly greater, whereas systemic pressures were less in group NIC compared with group NTG for the same period. These results suggest that nicardipine, but not nitroglycerin, decreased the duration and area under the ST time curve of myocardial ischemic episodes shortly after coronary revascularization. Larger studies are required to verify the efficacy of nicardipine in reducing the severity of myocardial ischemia during cardiac surgery.

Alternate JournalSemin. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg.
PubMed ID10378852