[Nitroglycerin, sodium nitroprusside and intra-aortic counterpulsation in acute myocardial infarct]

The effect of nitroglycerin and sodium nitroprusside in patients with acute myocardial infarction and signs of cardiac insufficiency was studied. These drugs reduced the increased pressure in the pulmonary artery. The systemic arterial pressure also reduced, but more markedly under the effect of nitroglycerin. Nitroglycerin often reduced the cardiac rhythm rate, whereas sodium nitroprusside caused no changes or increased it. Counterpulsation with an intra-aortic balloon was conducted in cardiogenic shock. The most marked positive changes in systemic arterial pressure occurred under the effect of counterpulsation. Changes in the cardiac output and pulmonoarterial pressure were much less conspicuous. The favourable dynamics disappeared in most patients after counterpulsation was discontinued.