The time course and the magnitude of the effect of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) on central venous (pulmonary artery diastolic pressure-PAPd) and peripheral arterial (a/b-ratio of the finger pulse wave) haemodynamics were compared in a randomized double-blind cross-over study in 12 patients suffering from congestive heart failure (NYHA II-III) with elevated PAPd at rest (> or = 15 mmHg). The data were obtained in a bioavailability study of two sprays of glyceryl trinitrate, which differed in their galenical characteristics and in the dose of GTN (0.4 mg vs. 0.8 mg). Following sublingual administration of each spray, PAPd, a/b-ratio and the plasma concentrations of GTN and its metabolites were measured up to 30 min. The relative bioavailability of GTN of the test preparation was estimated to be 157%, 161% and 147%, when calculated from the plasma concentration-time data or the integrated effect of GTN on a/b-ratio or PAPd, respectively. The mean time courses of the decrease in PAPd and the increase in the a/b-ratio of the finger pulse curve were mirror images. Thus, there was a strong correlation between the mean values of PAPd and a/b-ratio following the administration of glyceryl trinitrate. Since the slope of the relationship differed considerably between the patients, the magnitude of effect of GTN on PAPd in the individual patient could not be predicted from the changes in a/b-ratio.
The pharmacokinetics of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) and its main metabolites as well as the hemodynamic effects of a new transdermal delivery system (TDS) were investigated in ten healthy male volunteers using a single blind, placebo-controlled study design with an application period of active drug of 4 successive days. The adhesive-type matrix system contains 20-mg GTN and released about 75% in a time-dependent manner. The plasma concentrations of GTN and its metabolites 1-2- and 1-3 glyceryl dinitrate reflected the time-dependent release with higher plasma concentrations during the first 12 hours than during the second 12 hours. Continuous administration of the TDS, which released 15 mg GTN/day, caused an accumulation of GTN in the plasma (about 70% greater AUC at the fourth day in comparison with the first day). The total effect per dose on the a/b-ratio of the digital pulse (height of the peak of the systolic wave divided by height of the peak of the dicrotic wave) and the reflex tachycardia were diminished by about 50% and 37%, respectively, at the fourth treatment day. The effect on systolic blood pressure measured under orthostatic conditions was blunted already 8 hours after the first application. The effect of sublingually administered GTN on digital pulse was attenuated during administration and also 1 hour after removal of the last TDS. The effect was restored 8 to 12 hours after removal of the TDS. Thus, the discontinuous release of GTN from the new system does not prevent the decline of hemodynamic efficacy during continuous therapy.
The haemodynamic effects and plasma concentrations of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) and its dinitrate metabolites were investigated in 8 healthy male volunteers during 5 days of application of a new transdermal delivery system (TDS) with time-dependent release characteristics, which were considered to prevent or to diminish development of nitrate tolerance. On the first and fifth day of administration the following haemodynamic parameters were determined: digital pulse ratio of height of systolic peak to height of dicrotic wave (i.e. a/b-ratio), heart rate and systolic blood pressure under orthostatic conditions. Peak plasma concentrations of GTN were 139 and 155 pg.ml-1 on the first and fifth day of treatment, and the corresponding trough concentrations (i.e. 24 h after administration) were 52.5 and 36.6 pg.ml-1, respectively. Compared to placebo, the area under the effect curve of the a/b-ratio of the digital pulse was increased on the first (25.6%) and fifth day (13%). A significant increase of heart rate and a decrease of systolic blood pressure were seen only on the first day of treatment. The haemodynamic effects of sublingual GTN 0.8 mg were reduced by 69% (a/b-ratio) and 52% (standing heart rate) on the fifth day compared to the pretreatment values. Thus, the phasic release of GTN from the new TDS can be demonstrated by the time course of the plasma concentrations of GTN and its metabolites. Nevertheless, following repeated administration the hemodynamic effects are blunted.
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