Loss of nitroglycerin from intravenous infusion sets

During initial studies with nitroglycerin infusion in patients with acute myocardial infarction, higher doses than previously reported were required to achieve the desired haemodynamic effect. A flow-rate-dependent loss of drug from the plastic infusion set was demonstrated during simulated infusion. This loss was considerably reduced when nitroglycerin was infused from glass syringes through high-density polyethylene tubing.