Interval treatment of coronary artery disease with sustained-release isosorbide-5-mononitrate

The possibility of maintaining preload reduction and enhancement of exercise tolerance during an interval treatment with 50 mg/day of sustained-release isosorbide-5-nitrate (IS-5-N) was investigated in 13 patients (aged 54.4 +/- 7.9 years [mean +/- standard deviation]) with angiographically confirmed coronary artery disease and chronic stable angina pectoris. The effects of a single dose (acute test) were compared with those following an 8-day (chronic) regimen of mononitrate administration. Two hours after administration of 50-mg sustained-release IS-5-N, mean resting pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), measured with a Swan-Ganz catheter, was reduced by 27% (p less than 0.01), and at submaximal exercise level (50 W, 3 minutes) by 34% (p less than 0.001). At individually highest comparable work loads mean PAP was reduced by 28% (p less than 0.01), and at maximal work load the PAP reduction was 21% (p less than 0.05). At the end of 1 week of therapy with sustained-release IS-5-N a slight, clinically irrelevant reduction of hemodynamic effects was recorded. Work capacity increased after 1 hour by 60% (408 +/- 104 vs 653 +/- 147 W x min, p less than 0.001)--still significantly above baseline 10 hours after nitrate administration. No difference from baseline was demonstrable 24 hours after medication. During interval therapy the improved work capacity was fully maintained (chronic, 1 hour: 417 +/- 93 vs 679 +/- 160 W x min, p less than 0.001). During interval therapy with sustained-release IS-5-N, hemodynamics and exercise tolerance were durably improved.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)