Leor R, Feinstein M, Luria M H, Hod C, Rabinowitz B
Heart Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1989;36(3):307-10. doi: 10.1007/BF00558164.
In order to evaluate the surface tension lowering effect of ethanol in intravenous nitroglycerin solutions of varying concentrations, drop size was measured in intravenous transfusion sets that should deliver 60 drops/ml. Ethanol 5% solutions led to a significant decrease in drop volume and a concomitant increase in the number of drops per unit volume, up to 79 drops/ml were observed. The surface tension lowering effect may account for decreases of up to 25% in delivered nitroglycerin when drop counting infusion pumps are used, and may be a factor in the development of apparent tolerance to intravenous nitroglycerin.
