[Acute hemodynamic effects of SIN-1 and isosorbide dinitrate in stable left ventricular failure: a comparative...

The acute hemodynamic effects of intravenous SIN-1 (1 mg) and sublingual isosorbide dinitrate (5 mg) were investigated in 12 patients (8 men and 4 women) between 38 and 80 years of age and suffering from stable chronic left ventricular failure (NYHA Classes III-IV) secondary to ischemic myocardiopathy (n = 5), hypertensive disease (n = 2) or idiopathic disorder (n = 5) corresponding to the following hemodynamic inclusion criteria: stable condition, cardiac index > or = 2 l/min/m2, mean capillary pressure > or = 18 mmHg and < or = 28 mmHg. Previous treatments were continued with the exception of vasodilators and diuretics which were stopped 24 hours earlier. The hemodynamic data from this cross-over, double-blind double-dummy trial were collected for two 60-hour periods separated by a washout period of 120 minutes. Simultaneously, venous samples were taken for the assay of plasma levels of SIN-1. The heart rate, cardiac output, pulmonary artery resistance and blood pressure were not affected by either SIN-1 or isosorbide dinitrate. An obvious reduction (> 15% of the basal value) in the mean capillary pressure, pulmonary artery pressure and mean right atrial pressure was observed in 10 subjects after SIN-1 and in 7 patients isosorbide dinitrate. A statistically non-significant trend towards a more marked effect (number of patients responding and maximum amplitude of pressure reduction) which occurred more rapidly and lasted longer was observed after SIN-1. Analysis of the relationship between the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of SIN-1 suggests that an active metabolites is involved. No adverse effects were reported.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)