The Effects of Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate on Left Ventricular Function Assessed by Systolic Time Intervals

Isosorbide-5-mononitrate (IS-5-MN) like other nitrates, leads to a reduction of left ventricular (LV) filling pressure and to a moderate arteriolar dilatation. This results in a reduction of myocardial oxygen consumption. The changed hemodynamic conditions can also be demonstrated by noninvasive techniques using one- and two-dimensional echocardiography. A clear improvement in the parameters of contractility could be demonstrated in a group of 25 patients with severe hemodynamically effective coronary heart disease after 20 mg IS-5-MN orally by means of parameters of LV function. The administration of 40 mg produced only slight additional, but statistically nonsignificant, changes.