[The effect of nitroglycerine medication on the arterial oxygen pressure in obstructive lung disease]

Nitroglycerine gains increasing interest because of its favourable hemodynamic effects in patients with left heart failure, especially in those with coronary heart disease. The drug-induced vasodilatation and lowering of pulmonary arterial pressure, is followed by a redistribution of lung perfusion which occasionally may be deletarious. It is shown that in patients with obstructive lung disease, a significant drop in arterial oxygen tension may be observed. This could be due to increased perfusion of the lung, without a concommitant augmentation of ventilation, which results in an increase of right to left-shunt.