[Effect of nitrates on the peripheral arterial vascular system]

Nitrates decrease the tonus of the smooth vascular musculature and cause a vasodilation also in the region of the peripheral arterial system. This was shown after sublingual administration of glycerol trinitrate in test persons with a healthy vessel and patients with arterial occlusive disease in stage II. A significant change of the poststenotic systolic pressure and the influence on the parameters of the rheographic volume pulse curve developed. The peripheral effects of nitrate are used in the angiological functional diagnostics. They are of importance for the medicamentous therapy of vasospastically and organically disturbances of the arterial blood supply.