EFFECTS OF SUBLINGUAL NITROGLYCERIN ON PULMONARY ARTERIAL PRESSURE IN PATIENTS WITH LEFT VENTRICULAR FAILURE

Abstract

Sublingual nitroglycerin administration was demonstrated effective in relief of respiratory and retrosternal distress of paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea of left heart failure. Using right heart catheterization in hypertensive heart failure patients, nitroglycerin produced significant reduction in the associated pulmonary hypertension in 5 to 15 minutes. Simultaneous changes in brachial arterial pressure, heart rate and cardiac output were minimal. A significant drop was observed in pulmonary wedge pressure and in total pulmonary artery resistance. In one patient angina pectoris resulted in severe pulmonary artery hypertension with prompt relief of pain and hypertension after nitroglycerin. Nitroglycerin has an important place in treatment of paroxysmal dyspnea of left ventricular failure.