[Long-term effects of sublingual isosorbide dinitrate (author's transl)]. / Effetti e durata di azione del dinitrato di isosorbitolo per via sublinguale

The effect of 10 mg of sublingual isosorbide dinitrate were studied using exercise test in 10 patients with stable angina pectoris. First the reproducibility of angina threshold of each patient was controlled. then the effects after 30, 90, 150 minutes of the administration of the drug and a placebo, administered in random sequence, were studied. No significant changes of the parameters examined were observed after the placebo. Significant increase of duration of exercise and total amount of work performed before angina were observed after the drugs. Also, the appearance of electrocardiographic alterations was retarded, and disappearance of pain after exercise interruption was quicker. These changes were maximal in the tests made 30 minutes after administration of the drug, declining therafter; nevertheless, statistically significant differences from placebo were also observed in tests after 90 and 150 minutes.