Significance of the Nitroglycerin-Flicker Fusion Response in Normal Subjects and Patients with Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract
The Krasno-Ivy nitroglycerin-flicker fusion test was carried out in normal persons, and in patients with arterial hypertension and/or coronary disease. A positive test was obtained more often in patients with cardiovascular abnormalities than in normal individuals. In the former group the frequency of negative results and the inconstancy of response to multiple tests indicate the unreliability of this procedure for "the early detection of heart disease tendency." No correlation could be demonstrated between the results of the flicker fusion test, the Master two step or the cold pressor test. The evidence does not support the, alleged clinical usefulness of the nitroglycerin-flicker fusion test.