[Heart failure in acute myocardial infarction: comparing infusions of nifedipine and nitroglycerin].

The impact of intravenous infusion of nifedipine and nitroglycerin on invasive central hemodynamic parameters and microcirculation was compared in 94 patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by heart failure. The artery dilating effects of nifedipine were associated with baseline peripheral vascular tone, so the comparison was made separately in the groups with and without vasoconstriction. Nifedipine seems to be beneficial in the management of heart failure due to acute myocardial infarction in patients with systemic vasoconstriction. In patients with severe pulmonary congestion and normal left ventricular afterload, the intravenous vasodilators are preferable.