Role of nitroglycerin in acute myocardial infarction

Cardiology
J T Flaherty

Abstract

Intravenous nitroglycerin lowers left ventricular filling pressure and systemic vascular resistance in patients with acute myocardial infarction. At lower infusion rates (less than 30 micrograms/min) nitroglycerin acts principally as a venodilator, while at higher infusion rates a balanced venous and arterial dilating effect is seen. Patients with left ventricular failure demonstrate increased or maintained stroke volumes, while patients without failure will show a decrease in stroke volume. All hemodynamic subgroups will show a reduction in left ventricular filling pressures and in electrocardiographic evidence of regional myocardial ischemia. Longer-term infusions (24-48 h) have been associated with a reduction in short-term mortality and evidence of myocardial preservation, as evidenced by improved left ventricular function or indices of infarct size. Studies comparing intravenous nitroglycerin and sodium nitroprusside have revealed increases in intercoronary collateral flow with nitroglycerin, in contrast to decreases with nitroprusside, suggesting a coronary steal with nitroprusside. Current clinical practice would recommend intravenous nitroglycerin as initial adjunctive therapy for patients receiving intravenous thrombol...Continue Reading

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