Effects of sublingual nitroglycerin in patients receiving transdermal nitroglycerin for coronary artery disease: prevention of cross-tolerance.
The systemic hemodynamic and coronary dilative responses to sublingual nitroglycerin were studied in patients receiving transdermal nitroglycerin. A total of 48 patients with coronary artery disease were divided into 4 groups: 12 patients receiving 1 tablet of sublingual nitroglycerin without transdermal nitroglycerin (Group 1), 12 patients receiving 1 tablet of sublingual nitroglycerin with 12-hour-daily intermittent therapy of transdermal nitroglycerin (Group 2), 12 patients receiving 1 tablet of sublingual nitroglycerin with continuous therapy of transdermal nitroglycerin with continuous therapy of transdermal nitroglycerin (Group 3), and 12 patients receiving 2 tablets of sublingual nitroglycerin with continuous therapy of transdermal nitroglycerin (Group 4). Before and during administration of sublingual nitroglycerin, aortic pressure, left ventricular pressure, and coronary artery diameter were examined at diagnostic cardiac catheterization in all patients. During sublingual nitroglycerin, the decreases of aortic systolic pressure and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure were greater in Group 1, 2, and 4 than in Group 3. Dilation of coronary arteries by sublingual nitroglycerin tended to be greater in Group 1, 2, and 4 than in Group 3. Thus, the effects of sublingual nitroglycerin for the relief of ischemia might be more prominent in patients with intermittent therapy of transdermal nitroglycerin than in those with continuous therapy. The increased dose of sublingual nitroglycerin for the relief of ischemia might be more effective in patients with continuous therapy of transdermal nitroglycerin.