Role of short-acting nitroglycerin in the management of ischemic heart disease.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review synthesizing pharmacology and clinical usage without systematic search methodology
PubMed 26316714 · doi:10.2147/DDDT.S79116
What was done
This narrative review synthesized the pharmacology, mechanism of action, and clinical utility of short-acting nitroglycerin formulations (sublingual tablets and sublingual spray) for treating acute attacks and providing prophylactic relief in patients with ischemic heart disease and angina.
What was found
The abstract provides no numerical data, confidence intervals, or sample sizes. It qualitatively reports that both tablet and spray formulations increase angina-free treadmill walking time, abolish or delay ST-segment depression, and improve exercise tolerance. The sublingual spray is described as having faster onset of action, lower incidence of headache, comparable vasodilatory magnitude and duration, and advantages for patients with dry mouth compared to sublingual tablets.
Why it matters
Short-acting nitroglycerin remains a foundational component of optimal medical therapy for rapid symptom abort and pre-exertional prophylaxis in recurrent or refractory angina.
Limits
As an unsystematic narrative review, the paper does not specify search criteria, study selection methods, or risk-of-bias assessments. The abstract reports zero quantitative metrics, and evidence for comparative advantages between spray and tablet formulations is presented without statistical backing or outcome trial details.
Cited by
- supports Sublingual nitroglycerin rapidly dilates coronary arteries to treat acute angina.