The Effect of Nitroglycerine on the Ballistocardiogram of Persons with and without Clinical Evidence of Coronary Heart Disease

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Nitroglycerine has been given to a series of patients and its effect on the ballistocardiogram oserved. Attacks of angina pectoris are accompanied by great deterioration of the record; if nitroglycerine is given at such a time, the record improves as pain passes off. Given between attacks to patients having coronary heart disease with abnormal ballistocardiograms, nitroglycerine is often followed by improvement in the record. Also given to older patients who have abnormal ballistocardiograms but no clinical evidence of coronary heart disease, nitroglycerine is often followed by improvement in the record, a fact consistent with the view that coronary heart disease is present in such cases. However, nitroglycerine is sometimes followed by deterioration of the ballistocardiogram, the possible reasons for this unexpected finding are discussed; attention is called to recent evidence indicating that serious toxic effects may follow exposure to nitrites in industry.