[Pharmacodynamics of a nitroglycerin ointment in patients with stenocardia of effort]

Antianginal efficiency and the duration of effect of a 2% nitroglycerin ointment were assessed in 20 patients with angina of effort, using repeated bicycle ergometric tests. It was demonstrated that the 2% nitroglycerin ointment was an effective antianginal agent, the effect of its minimal dose (2 cm) exceeding considerably that of 10 mg isosorbide dinitrate. The antianginal effect of nitroglycerin ointment became apparent 15 minutes after the application and lasted for 6 hours of follow-up in most patients. There was individual variation in the duration of the ointment's effect, which was, however, less pronounced, as compared to the variation observed with oral prolonged-action nitroglycerin preparations.