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Dose-dependent effect of intravenous nitroglycerin on platelet aggregation, and correlation with plasma glyceryl

K E Karlberg1, K Torfgård, J Ahlner

  • 1Karolinska Institute, Department of Medicine, Huddinge Hospital, Sweden.

The American Journal of Cardiology
|March 15, 1992
PubMed

Insights

Intravenous nitroglycerin significantly inhibits platelet aggregation in a dose-dependent manner. This effect, linked to glyceryl dinitrate formation, may contribute to nitroglycerin

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Pharmacology
  • Hematology
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Nitroglycerin is known to reduce mortality in acute myocardial infarction.
  • Its beneficial effects are primarily attributed to vasodilation.
  • Potential alterations in platelet function by nitroglycerin were hypothesized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the influence of intravenous nitroglycerin on platelet aggregation.
  • To determine the dose-response relationship between nitroglycerin and platelet aggregation inhibition.

Main Methods:

  • Eight healthy subjects participated in the study.
  • Platelet aggregation was assessed using filtragometry at baseline and with three different nitroglycerin doses.
  • Plasma concentrations of nitroglycerin and its metabolites were correlated with aggregation effects.

Main Results:

  • Platelet aggregation time increased significantly and dose-dependently with increasing nitroglycerin doses.
  • Maximal nitroglycerin dose (1.1 +/- 0.3 micrograms/kg/min) resulted in a 91 +/- 68% increase in aggregation time (p < 0.001).
  • Strong correlations were observed between plasma concentrations of nitroglycerin and glyceryl dinitrate metabolites and platelet aggregation inhibition (r=0.6, r=0.8).

Conclusions:

  • Intravenous nitroglycerin profoundly inhibits platelet aggregation in a dose-dependent manner.
  • The observed anti-platelet effect correlates with the formation of glyceryl dinitrate.
  • Altered platelet function may contribute to the overall therapeutic benefits of nitroglycerin in cardiovascular conditions.

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