This study aims to investigate the preventive effect of oral nicorandil on contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients with renal insufficiency undergoing elective cardiac catheterization. A total of 240 patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 60 mL/min or less, who were undergoing elective cardiac catheterization, were randomly assigned to nicorandil group (n = 120, 10 mg nicorandil, three times daily from 2 days before to 3 days after procedure) or control group (n = 120, matching placebo as the same method). The primary endpoint was the incidence of CIN defined as 25 % increase in serum creatinine (SCr) from baseline or 44 μmol/L (0.5 mg/dL) increase in absolute value within 72 h after exposure to contrast medium. The secondary endpoints were: (1) the changes of SCr, Cystatin-C (Cys-C) and eGFR within 72 h; (2) major adverse events (MACE) occurring within 30 days. Baseline characteristics of the patients in the two groups were similar. The incidence of CIN was significantly lower in nicorandil group compared with control group (6.67 vs. 17.5 %, P = 0.017). Compared with the control group, nicorandil group tended to have a lower SCr and Cys-C levels as well as a higher eGFR at 48 h after the procedure (all P < 0.05). There was no difference about the incidence of MACE within 30 days between nicorandil group and control group (4.16 vs. 5.83 %, P = 0.767). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that nicorandil was an independent protective factor against CIN (OR = 0.260, 95 % CI = 0.1-0.676, P = 0.006). Therefore, we concluded that oral nicorandil was associated with a decline in the incidence of CIN in patients with renal insufficiency undergoing elective cardiac catheterization.

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Circulating miR-126, miR-17-5p, miR-92a, miR-210 and miR-378 could serve as novel, promising biomarkers for risk and severity of CHD. Additionally, miR-126, miR-210 and miR-378 were negatively associated with Gensini scores.

Objective To evaluate efficacy, safety and feasibility of targeted intracoronary injection using pro‐urokinase combined with anisodamine (TCA) versus thrombus aspiration (TA) in ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with high thrombus loads. Background The best method of avoiding thrombus detachment and stroke in PCI patients with high thrombus loads has not yet been established. Methods STEMI patients receiving coronary artery angiography or percutaneous coronary intervention (CAG/PCI) with thrombus grade ≥ 3 from January 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018 were randomly assigned to targeted intracoronary thrombolysis (pro‐urokinase and anisodamine via catheter (TCA) group), or the TA group which followed the standard thrombus aspiration procedure. Parameters compared included thrombus grade, index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR), postoperative myocardial SPECT, thrombosis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) scores including flow grade, corrected TIMI frame counts (CTFCs), and TIMI myocardial perfusion grade (TMPG). Adverse events were followed up within 3 months. Results Thirty‐nine patients were finally enrolled. In primary CAG/PCI, the TCA group had higher percentages of TIMI 3 flow and lower IMR values compared with the TA group. The ratio of TMPG 3 grade in the TCA group was higher in repeat CAG, and the perfusion descending area (PDA) presented by SPECT was lower than in the TA group. No significant difference was seen in major adverse coronary events (MACEs) or bleeding events at follow‐up. Conclusions TCA appears to be effective, safe, and feasible for repatency and reduction of high thrombus burden in primary PCI and may protect myocardial microcirculation with improved outcomes.