Development of tolerance to nitrate therapy in chronic congestive heart failure

In several studies the nitrate effects on central hemodynamics during less than 24 hours have been evaluated in heart failure. Higher doses than in angina have been used. A pronounced response is seen acutely. An attenuation has been reported after 12-24 hours. A relation to continuous (intravenous, transdermal) administration of nitroglycerin has been proposed, but it is not clear. During chronic treatment with ISDN a tolerance is not obvious within 12 weeks. The heart failure patient has a different neurohumoral situation compared to angina patients. This could be one reason for differences in tolerance development during nitrate therapy.