Dose-related prolongation of the bleeding time by intravenous nitroglycerin.
The effects of intravenous nitroglycerin (NTG) upon the bleeding time, platelet aggregation response, and plasma 6-keto-PGF1 alpha concentration were measured in 17 patients about to undergo coronary bypass grafting. NTG produced a dose-related prolongation of the bleeding time that correlated with the accompanying decrease in systolic blood pressure. Platelet aggregation was not affected and measurements of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha failed to reveal detectable levels (less than 10 pg/ml) either before or after NTG infusion. This suggests that the prolonged bleeding time associated with NTG infusion may be due to vasodilation and increased venous capacitance, rather than altered vascular-platelet interaction.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001760:Bleeding Time; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D010979:Platelet Function Tests
D011464:Epoprostenol; D005996:Nitroglycerin