Effects of nicorandil on regional cerebral blood flow in patients with chronic cerebral infarction. Preliminary communication.

The effect of a single oral dose of nicorandil (N-2-(hydroxyethyl)-nicotinamide nitrate, CAS 65141-46-0) on the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was studied in 9 patients with cerebral infarction. The rCBF was measured by the Xe-133 inhalation method before and after a single oral 10 mg dose of nicorandil. Mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) was mildly but significantly decreased. PeCO2 did not change significantly. Mean rCBF was significantly increased by 20.9% after administration of nicorandil (p less than 0.05). No significant correlation between percentage change in the MABP and percentage change in the rCBF was observed. These results indicate that nicorandil is not just a coronary vasodilator, but also possesses beneficial effects on the cerebral circulation in patients with cerebral infarction.