Effects of nitroglycerin on left ventricular diastolic properties in man.
The effects of nitroglycerin (NTG) on left ventricular (LV) isovolumic relaxation and diastolic function were studied in 12 patients with coronary artery disease: in 6 patients after 0.8 mg sublingual (sI) NTG and in 6 patients after 0.15 mg intracoronary (ic) NTG. From high-fidelity LV pressure peak positive and negative dP/dt, LV systolic (LVSP) and end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) were measured. The time constant T of isovolumic pressure decay was derived from P = a X exp(-t/T) + c. From simultaneous diastolic pressures and volumes, pressure-volume curves were obtained throughout diastole. In an additional 14 patients, the effects of 0.15 mg ic NTG on coronary sinus blood flow (CSBF) and end-diastolic (ED) and end-systolic septal thickness (ESST) were evaluated. SI NTG produced an increase in heart rate and a decrease in LVSP, LVEDP and negative dP/dt. These effects were associated with a decrease in T and a downward shift of the pressure-volume relation. In contrast, ic NTG caused no change in heart rate, LVSP and LVEDP. The LV pressure-volume relation was not altered although T decreased. Ic NTG produced an early rise in CSBF and a sustained increase in EDST and ESST. Data indicate that sI NTG increases the speed of isovolumic relaxation and improves diastolic function, but these actions are not reflected by negative dP/dt due to its dependence on multiple hemodynamic factors. Ic NTG accelerates isovolumic relaxation, but has no measurable effects on later diastolic function. The increase in positive dP/dt may be explained by an engorgement of the coronary vasculature resulting in stretching of the myocardial fibers.
D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003971:Diastole / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000494:pharmacology*
D005996:Nitroglycerin