SPRINT trial (nifedipine after MI)

The SPRINT trial had to be prematurely terminated after recruiting 1358 patients because the use of nifedipine increased mortality following acute myocardial infarction.

Patients were randomised within 48 hr of a myocardial infarction to:

• nifedipine 60 mg/day
• placebo

Mortality at 6 months in the placebo group was 13.3% compared to 15.4% in the nifedipine group.

The conclusion is that routine use of calcium channel blockers following myocardial infarction should be avoided.

Reference:

• Goldbourt U et al. Early administration of nifedipine in suspected acute myocardial infarction. The Secondary Prevention Reinfarction Israel Nifedipine Trial 2 Study.Arch Intern Med. 1993 Feb 8;153(3):345-53.