[Effect of nitroglycerine on haemodynamics and on catecholamine metabolism in patients with congestive left heart failure (author's transl)].

In 17 patients with severe chronic left heart failure 0.8 resp. 1.6 mg of nitroglycerine led to a marked decrease of LVEDP or PADP and a shift of left ventricular function to the left, indicating reduced preload. Cardiac output and exercise performance, were not improved. However, during exercise, nitroglycerine diminishes myocardial noradrenalin release, due to reduced sympathetic stimulation of the heart. This may be of importance in patients with chronic heart failure due to coronary artery disease, since reduction of sympathetic stimulation means a reduction of myocardial oxygen consumption.