Hemodynamic effects of sublingual nifedipine in acute myocardial infarction

Twenty-six patients with acute myocardial infarction (mean delay time 6 hours after onset of symptoms) were randomized to control or nifedipine treatment (10 mg sublingually, followed by 10 mg every 6 hours for a total of 24 hours). Nifedipine reduced arterial blood pressure from 127/78 to 115/70 mm Hg at 30 minutes (p less than 0.001) and continued to reduce the blood pressure significantly for 12 to 18 hours. Nifedipine also reduced systemic vascular resistance and the rate-pressure product. Cardiac output increased from 4.9 liters/min before nifedipine to 5.4 liters/min at 60 minutes (p less than 0.05 vs controls). In patients with high initial pulmonary wedge pressures, sublingual nifedipine decreased the wedge pressure (p less than 0.001) more effectively than did 80 mg of furosemide given intravenously. Thus, nifedipine may be useful in patients with early myocardial infarction and left ventricular failure.