The effect of nitroglycerin in gas exchange on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Nitroglycerin was administered to a group of 11 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a dose of 0.4 mg sublingually. Arterial blood gases and blood pressure and pulse were measured at 5-min intervals for 30 min after nitroglycerin. There was a slight decrease in arterial O2 tension for the duration of the study; the maximal change was from a mean pre-nitroglycerin value of 53.5 mm Hg to 50.3 mm Hg at 20 min. In addition, there was a slight reduction in arterial CO2 tension and bicarbonate for 25 min. It is postulated that decreased O2 transport (due to increased hypoxemia and probably decreased cardiac output) plus hypocapnia were a sufficient stimulus to raise blood lactate. It is recommended that in patients receiving nitroglycerin who have obstructive airway disease, attention be directed toward the effect on arterial blood gases.
D000136:Acid-Base Equilibrium / Q000187:drug effects; D000886:Anthropometry; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000097:blood; D001769:Blood; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010313:Partial Pressure; D011674:Pulse / Q000187:drug effects; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests
D001639:Bicarbonates; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D005996:Nitroglycerin; D010100:Oxygen