Sustained beneficial effect of a seventy-two hour intravenous infusion of nitroglycerin in patients with severe chronic congestive heart failure

Canadian Cardiovascular Society consensus conference recommendations on heart failure 2006: Diagnosis and management

“…While it is an effective vasodilator, frequent dose titration of IV nitroglycerin is often necessary to produce the desired hemodynamic effects and symptom relief. Doses greater than 140 µg/min to 160 µg/min may be necessary to sufficiently decrease filling pressures and alleviate symptoms (82). Because IV nitroglycerin requires frequent dose titration and may cause dosedependent hypotension, patients with AHF treated with IV nitroglycerin should be monitored in an intensive care unit and may require invasive hemodynamic monitoring while being treated.…”

Intravenous Nesiritide vs Nitroglycerin for Treatment of Decompensated Congestive Heart Failure

“…In all patients, vital signs and symptoms (dyspnea and global clinical evaluations) were assessed at 15 and 30 minutes, and at 1, 2, and 3 hours after the start of study drug. After 3 hours, PCWP and pulmonary artery pressure were obtained in catheterized patients at 6,9,12,24,36, and 48 hours, and when study drug was discontinued (if Ͻ48 hours). In all patients, vital signs were assessed every 3 hours for the duration of study drug infusion and at 15minute intervals for the first hour and 30-minute intervals for the second hour after any dose change, discontinuation, or restarting of the infusion.…”

Diastolic ventricular interaction: from physiology to clinical practice

“…Dupuis et al 38 reported a sustained hemodynamic benefit in some patients with severe chronic heart failure from a 72 h infusion of nitroglycerine. Among patients whose stroke volume increased, tendency towards increased LVEDV was noted, despite a fall in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure.…”