Intravenous Infusion of Nitroglycerin in Normal Subjects

Abstract

Nitroglycerin was given to healthy human subjects in continuous intravenous infusion. The effects were small in the recumbent position but during standing and the performance of the Valsalva manoeuvre or during positive pressure breathing, the effects were much accentuated. The main effects were diminished pulse amplitude, tachycardia and reduced stroke volume. A dose of about 0.05 mg/min. gave effects which were roughly similar to the maximum effects of 0.5 mg nitroglycerin given sublingually.

Key Words:

• Blood pressure
• body position
• cardiac output
• heart rate
• intra-thoracic pressure
• nitroglycerin
• venous return