Effect of nitroglycerin on left ventricular hydraulic load.

It has previously been shown that nitroglycerin increases the compliance of forearm arteries. The present study investigates whether nitroglycerin reduces the hydraulic load on the heart (as measured by aortic input impedance) by a mechanism compatible with an increase in peripheral arterial compliance. In eight subjects, measurements of aortic flow and pressure were made with a catheter tipped probe before and during intravenous nitroglycerin (6 to 30 micrograms/min) administration. The reduction of aortic systolic pressure (129 +/- 5 to 113 +/- 4 mmHg, P less than 0.001) was due to a decrease in the late systolic pressure peak. There was no change in stroke volume, heart rate or systemic vascular resistance. The lower systolic pressure resulted from a decrease in the amplitude of the first harmonic of input impedance (210 +/- 19 to 143 +/- 11 dyne.s.cm-5, P less than 0.005) yet characteristic impedance (a measure of local aortic distensibility) did not change. The ratio of maxima to minima of the impedance spectrum was reduced (1.02 +/- 0.09 to 0.71 +/- 0.11, P less than 0.05) suggesting a decrease in the amplitude of reflected waves contributing to aortic impedance. Nitroglycerin at doses which have no effect on arteriolar resistance vessels, reduces systolic aortic pressure by diminishing the amplitude of wave reflections returning to the ascending aorta in late systole. This mechanism is compatible with the peripheral arterial effects of nitroglycerin.