Effect of sublingual pentrinitrol on exercise tolerance in angina pectoris.

The effects of 10 mg sublingual pentrinitrol and placebo on the exercise tolerance of 20 patients with angina pectoris were compared. The ten patients who received pentrinitrol had increases in exercise times and metabolic oxygen equivalents (METs) 15 and 60 minutes after administration, whereas no change occurred in ten comparable patients receiving placebo. Pentrinitrol produced lower preexercise systolic blood pressures and systolic blood pressures at point of angina. An increase in heart rate offset the effect of the reduced systolic blood pressure on double product (systolic blood pressure times heart rate). Sublingual pentrinitrol is an effective antianginal drug for at least 60 minutes.