The effect of cyproheptadine on prevention of Vomiting and Nausea induced by contrast agent during coronary angiography and ventriculography of left ventricle

Coronary artery disease is one of the most common problems in medicine. The correct diagnosis of the affected artery and its treatment can prevent further development of atherosclerosis. Coronary angiography is the gold diagnostic standard of coronary atherosclerosis disease, but causes some dangers for the patients, such as adverse reaction to contrast agent media. Vomiting and nausea are the most common problems during angiography that increase the length of angiography and cause unstrile condition. Nausea and vomiting are related to the serotonin receptors in the brain. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of cyproheptadine (a serotonin blocker) on vomiting and nausea during angiography and ventriculography. In this study, 400 patients were divided into two equal groups. One group received a placebo and the other received 8 mg of cyproheptadine one hour before the angiography. The patients were visited during 12 hours after the angiography and a questionnaire was filled. The data was analyzed using c² and t tests by SPSS. Minor adverse reaction rate, which was 78 cases, reduced to 27 cases by using cyproheptadine tablet. In the patient, who received placebo the rate of nausea was 27%, vomiting 5.5% and retching 3%. But in those who received cyproheptadine the rate of nausea was 8%, vomiting 2% and retching 1%. The adverse reactions were not correlated to sex, ejection fraction and coronary artery obstruction. Cyproheptadine had an important role in decreasing nausea and vomiting during angiography.