[Use of nitroglycerin in the treatment of congestive heart failure]

Nitroglycerin and its derivatives have become widely used agents in the treatment of severe forms of heart failure. Their beneficial effects in this disease results from their ability to reduce preload and afterload of the heart muscle leading to an increase of cardiac index, a decrease in mean pulmonary artery and wedge pressures as well as pulmonary and peripheral vascular resistances. This is associated with reducing the patients' complaints. Intravenous nitrates are used in the treatment of myocardial infarction complicated by an increased left ventricular filling pressure as well as in various forms of acute and worsening left ventricular failure, mainly in pulmonary edema. Oral and transdermal nitrates are administered in chronic congestive heart failure NYHA class III and IV.