[Transdermal use of nitroglycerin].

Transdermal nitroglycerin becomes more and more common mode of pharmacotherapy as this form of nitroglycerin ensures permanent therapeutic level of the drug in the blood serum for a long time. The largest clinical experience with transdermal nitroglycerin has been gathered in effort angina although it is used in all forms of ischemic heart disease. It has been documented that transdermal nitroglycerin improves exercise tolerance, increases pain threshold, delays the onset of ST segment depression in the ECG and decreases the incidence of anginal attacks. Beneficial effects of transdermal nitroglycerin on hemodynamic parameters have been shown also in patients with myocardial infarction, especially complicated by heart failure. First results obtained in the treatment of silent myocardial ischemia are very promising. The development of tolerance requires 12-hour intervals in the use of nitroglycerin patches.