RAPID CORONARY VASODILATION BY NITROGLYCERIN TAPES

We analyzed the acute, direct effects of nitroglycerin (NTG) tape on t he coronary arteries and hemodynamics in 38 patients who underwent cor onary angiography. The diameters of the 3 main coronary arteries were compared among the angiograms obtained at baseline, 15 minutes followi ng transdermal administration of 10 mg (8 patients) or 25 mg (30 patie nts) of NTG (Millisrol tape(R)), and after intracoronary injection of 2.5 mg isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN). Only the left main trunk and proxi mal portion of the left anterior descending artery dilated after 10 mg of transdermal NTG administration (P < 0.05). However, every measured coronary segment (segments 1-8, 11, and 13) dilated (p < 0.05) after 25 mg of NTG. Systemic blood pressure decreased slightly but significa ntly from 150 +/- 22 to 147 +/- 21 mmHg during the study, with no chan ge in heart rate. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure decreased si gnificantly from 16 +/- 7 to 14 +/- 5 mmHg. We conclude that 25 mg of transdermal NTG tape dilates coronary arteries and is applicable for a cute coronary syndrome, with few complications.