Abstract
NITROGLYCERIN and organic nitrates are being used in an increasing variety of cardiac conditions in addition to angina pectoris. Nitrate therapy is becoming routine in the vasodilator treatment of congestive heart failure, and under diverse experimental conditions it appears to be effective in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction.Pharmacology of NitratesNitroglycerin is a potent vascular dilator exerting its strongest effect on the venous system (capacitance vessels) and a lesser effect on the arterial circulation (resistance vessels). The drug acts at specific nitrate receptors in the vascular smooth-muscle wall to trigger vascular relaxation.1 All nitrate esters produce the same . . .