Haemodynamic effects of nisoldipine by oral route

The aim of this study is to investigate the acute haemodynamic effect of orally administered nisoldipine. Eight patients with stable angina and normal overall ventricular function were submitted to cardiac catheterization and angiography before and one hour after administration of nisoldipine 20 mg per os. Cardiac output increased, peripheral resistance decreased and aortic compliance increased, determining a marked decrease in overall peripheral impedance. Left ventricular ejection fraction hardly increased and contractility did not vary. Left ventricular end diastolic pressure decreased, owing to a decrease in left ventricular wall stiffness. Thus nisoldipine acts as a peripheral dilating agent, decreasing arteriolar tone and, possible, venous tone, and increasing left ventricular muscle distensibility.