Cardiology in review
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Cardiology in review · Jul 2010
Review Historical ArticleNitrates and nitrites in the treatment of ischemic cardiac disease.
The organic nitrite, amyl of nitrite, was initially used as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of angina pectoris, but was replaced over a decade later by the organic nitrate, nitroglycerin (NTG), due to the ease of administration and longer duration of action. The administration of organic nitrate esters, such as NTG, continues to be used in the treatment of angina pectoris and heart failure since the birth of modern pharmacology. Their clinical effectiveness is due to vasodilator activity in large veins and arteries through an as yet unidentified method of delivering nitric oxide (NO), or a NO-like compound. ⋯ Although the actions of these 2 similar chemical classes (nitrites and organic nitrates) have often been considered to be alike, we still do not understand their mechanism of action. Finally, the nitrite anion, either from sodium nitrite or an intermediate NTG form, may act as a storage form for NO and provide support for investigating the use of these agents in the treatment of ischemic cardiovascular states. We review what is presently known about the use of nitrates and nitrites including the historical, current, and potential uses of these agents, and their mechanisms of action.
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Mitral regurgitation after a myocardial infarction is common. It can occur acutely or chronically, and its presence portends a poor prognosis. The focus of this article will be on chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation. We will discuss the current concepts of its pathophysiology, the benefits of revascularization, along with the surgical, and percutaneous therapeutic options.