Beneficial effects of niconrandil for NO-Reflow phenomenon in acute coronary syndrome patients during percutaneous coronary intervention and its prognostic significance

Primary percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) is the best available reperfusion strategy for patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) but despite re-establishing the epicardial coronary vessel patency, primary PCI may fail to restore optimal myocardial reperfusion within the myocardial tissue. Studies have shown that 5% to 50% of patients undergoing PCI recanalization therapy have slow flow and no reflow (NR/SF) phenomenon. Some methods, such as intracoronary adenosion, intracoronary nitroprusside, intracoronary verapamil or tirofiban, ischaemic post-conditioning, thrombus aspiration or distal filters, have been used for prevention or treatment of NR/SF. But so far, no drug or device can completely prevent NR/SF. In recent years, more attention has been paid to nicorandil for it can improve the micro-circulation of the myocardium. In this article, we review the beneficial effects of niconrandil for NO-Reflow phenomenon in ACS patients during PCI and its prognostic significance.