Vasodilator Drugs: Systemic and Regional Considerations

Abstract

Therapeutic use of vasodilator drugs depends on the differential actions of these drugs on regional vascular beds. These differences include selective action on small and large arteries, differential potency on arterial and venous smooth muscle, and selectivity for autonomic receptors. The directly acting sodium nitroprusside and glyceryl trinitrate exemplify many of these differences as well as shared effects in the systemic, coronary and cerebral circulations.