Medicus, Vol. 19 No. 2_Kardiologija, 2010.
Review article
Nitrates Today
Dinko Vitezić
; KBC Rijeka
Žarko Mavrić
; KBC Rijeka
Luka Zaputović
; KBC Rijeka
Abstract
Organic nitrates, such as nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate and isosorbide mononitrate have been in medical use for more than 150 years. They are commonly used in therapy of cardiovascular diseases. Their mechanism of action lies in releasing nitric oxide in vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells when bioactivated. This results finally in smooth muscle cell relaxation and other cellular effects. A major factor limiting the efficacy of these drugs is in the development of tolerance. Provision of a nitrate-free interval has taken on increasing significance as a strategy to avoid tolerance. Some typical side-effects of nitrates are headache, arterial hypotension and syncope. In conclusion, organic nitrates still represent a group of very effective anti-ischemic drugs used for the treatment of patients with stable angina pectoris and acute coronary syndrome (unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction).
Keywords
organic nitrate; nitroglycerin; isosorbide dinitrate; isosorbide mononitrate; indications; adverse effects; tolerance
Hrčak ID:
65104
URI
Publication date:
11.12.2010.
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