A. Freedberg, Erwin D. Spiegl, J. Riseman
Oct 1, 1941
Citations
0
Influential Citations
12
Citations
Journal
American Heart Journal
Abstract
Abstract Octyl nitrite (2-ethyl-n-hexyl-1-nitrite) is a liquid nitrite of one of the higher alcohols which, because of its volatility, can be administered by inhalation. Krantz, Carr, and Forman, 1 who first prepared this substance, state that in laboratory animals it produces a fall in systemic blood pressure and an increase in the coronary blood flow; it dilates isolated coronary artery rings, and, in normal men, the inhalation of large doses (0.2 c.c. for one minute) produces a moderate fall in blood pressure, together with a moderate increase in heart rate. As a result of their studies, the investigators concluded, "Employing cotton impregnated with octyl nitrite, the compound lends itself to medication in an inhaler in the treatment of angina pectoris, asthma, and paroxysmal hypertension." Although this drug has been available commercially for over a year, no objective studies of its efficacy in the treatment of patients are on record. The purpose of the present communication is to present objective measurements of the advantages and disadvantages of the "octrite inhaler" in the treatment of patients with angina pectoris. The methods used in this objective evaluation were presented in a previous communication, 2 and include (1) The incidence and degree of beneficial effects, as measured by an increased ability to perform work under standardized conditions after administration of the drug in the dosage and manner usually employed in the treatment of angina pectoris, (2) adequate control studies, carried out in an identical fashion with inert preparations, (3) comparison of these results with the clinical response when the drug is used in daily life, (4) electrocardiographic studies on the same patients to confirm the results obtained by the other methods, (5) studies of the toxic effects and optimal dosage, and (6) comparison of these results with those obtained with nitroglycerin.