nitrates
Last reviewed 01/2018
Nitrates are used in the treatment of:
- angina
- cardiac failure
There are three anti-anginal mechanisms (1):
- peripheral vasodilatation reduces vascular resistance and reduces cardiac oxygen consumption
- venous dilatation results in pooling of blood in the peripheries, reduction in end-diastolic pressures and improved coronary flow
- there is a direct vasodilatory effect on the coronary vessels
In cardiac failure, nitrates work by reducing the pre- and after- loads on the heart by venous and arterial vasodilatation (2).
Reference:
- Henderson RA.angina: medical treatment, coronary arteriography and angioplasty.Medicine International (1993); 21(10):389-396. #
- de Bono D.Management of myocardial infarction.Medicine International (1993);21(10):401-5.
cautions and contraindications