USE OF INTRAAORTIC NITROGLYCERIN IN THE CARDIAC-CATHETERIZATION LABORATORY

The purpose of this study was to determine whether nitroglycerin (NTG) injected into the ascending aorta or left ventricle would safely and effectively lower blood pressure in hypertensive patients undergoing c ardiac catheterization. Fifty bolus injections of 297 +/- 67 mu g (mea n +/- SD) NTG were given to patients with a systolic blood pressure (S EP) of greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg (mean Sap 188 +/- 20.1 mm Hg ). An average drop in systolic blood pressure of 36 +/- 16 mmHg (P < 0 .001), diastolic blood pressure of 19 +/- 7 mm Hg (P < 0.001), and lef t ventricular end-diastolic pressure of 4.7 +/- 4 mm Hg (P = 0.001) wa s well tolerated in each patient. The mean time to response was 11 +/- 3 sec. Intra-aortic injection of NTG is a safe and effective means to treat hypertensive patients in the cardiac catheterization laboratory . (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.