Use of nitroglycerin in the treatment of acute heart failure and cardiogenic shock in patients with myocardial infarction

Abstract

The effectiveness of nitroglycerin in the treatment of acute heart failure was investigated in 100 patients with myocardial infarction. It was found that nitroglycerin has marked advantages in comparison with cardiac glycosides both as regards its effectiveness and as regards the character of its action on the haemodynamics and the state of the periinfarction zone. In most patients (78%), a favourable effect was attained with intravenous nitroglycerin administration and with additional intake in the form of tablets. Clinical improvement was preceded by normalization of pulmonary artery pressure. Uninterrupted nitroglycerin administration was terminated after normalization and stabilization of haemodynamics. The results showed that with monitoring haemodynamics nitroglycerin can be administered also in haemodynamic disorders, which occur in the early period of cardiogenic shock.