Role of isosorbide dinitrate in management of chronic congestive heart failure.
Congestive heart failure is accompanied by a number of compensatory mechanisms that may overshoot the mark. Among these are excessive arteriolar and venous constriction. Nitrates are effective in producing venodilation, redistributing blood from the chest to the periphery, and lowering right and left atrial pressures. Although oral isosorbide dinitrate is effective in producing acute beneficial hemodynamic effects, it usually does not increase exercise tolerance in the short term. Prolonged administration, however, does increase exercise tolerance and improve clinical class. Isosorbide dinitrate can be effectively combined with an arteriolar dilator such as hydralazine, which increases cardiac output. Such vasodilator therapy is symptomatically effective in patients with heart failure, although there is no evidence to date to suggest a prolongation of life.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006830:Hydralazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007548:Isosorbide Dinitrate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000187:drug effects
D006830:Hydralazine; D007548:Isosorbide Dinitrate