Acute and chronic isosorbide dinitrate therapy in congestive heart failure: demonstration of improved exercise capacity and differing arterial and venous tolerance during chronic administration
Leier, C.V.; Huss, P.; Magorien, R.D.; Unverferth, D.V.
Zeitschrift für Kardiologie 72(Suppl 3): 173-177
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-5860 PMID: 6666218 Document Number: 201468
Thirty patients with congestive heart failure underwent a double-blind study after randomization into either isosorbide dinitrate or placebo. The initial dose (40 mg orally) of isosorbide dinitrate reduced resting and exercise pulmonary artery, pulmonary capillary wedge, and systemic blood pressure and pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance without improving exercise tolerance. Chronic dosing (40 mg orally every 6 h for 3 months) increased exercise tolerance and maintained a reduction in resting and exercise pulmonary artery and pulmonary capillary wedge pressures and pulmonary resistance, while systemic pressure and resistance returned to baseline. Chronic oral isosorbide dinitrate (40 mg every 6 h) improves exercise capacity over a 3-month period with disparate tolerance effects on systemic arterial, systemic venous, and pulmonary vasculature.