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European Heart Journal 1993 14(Supplement B):22-24; doi:10.1093/eurheartj/14.suppl_B.22
Copyright © 1993 by the European Society of Cardiology.
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© 1993 The European Society of Cardiology

Potassium channel activators in vasospastic angina

J. M. Lablanche, C. Bauters, E. P. McFadden, P. Quandalle and M. E. Bertrand

Service de Cardiologie B et Hémodynamique, Hôpital Cardiologique, Boulevarddu Professeur J Leclercq 59037 Lille Cedex, France

Correspondence: J. M. Lablanche, MD, Service de Cardiologie B et Hémodynamique. Hôpital Cardiologique, Boulevard du Professeur J Leclercq. 59037 Lille Cedex, France.

Activation of potassium channels induces relaxation of vascular smooth muscle, and experimental studies have demonstrated that potassium channel activators have potent coronary vasodilator properties. In humans, nicorandil, a potassium channel blocker, causes vasodilatation not only in angiographically normal segments but also at sites of dynamic coronary stenosis, where coronary spasm has been provoked by methylergometrine as well as at sites of spontaneous spasm. The efficacy of nicorandil in relieving ergometrine-induced spasm is comparable to that of nifedipine. Oral administration of nicorandil significantly reduces the frequency of anginal episodes in patients with vasospastic angina, and either as monotherapy, or in conjunction with other agents is a novel therapeutic option in patients with vasospastic angina.

Key Words: Nicorandil • coronary vasospasm • potassium channels


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