[The emergence of silent myocardial ischemia as the manifestation of the nitrate withdrawal syndrome in patients with ischemic heart disease].

The aim of the study was to evaluate feasibility of emergence of nitrate withdrawal syndrome consequently to discontinuation of short-term nitrate administration for coronary heart disease. 12 males with stable effort angina functional class III were subjected to 24-h Holter ECG monitoring. In a randomized cross-over trial each patient received for 3 days isosorbide dinitrate (10-30 mg 4 times a day) followed by 3-day course of placebo. The monitoring was performed on day 3 of the drug or placebo administration and on the first day of their withdrawal. Isosorbide dinitrate discontinuation had no negative effects on the patients' condition though significantly increased the number and duration of episodes of asymptomatic myocardial ischemia. 4 patients developed episodes of asymptomatic myocardial ischemia at rest which were not observed in placebo application. It is believed that much caution should be used in planning interrupted regimes of nitrates therapy in patients with severe angina pectoris.