Effects of nitroprusside and nitroglycerin on coronary blood flow in stenotic arteries: study in patients with single-vessel coronary artery disease.

Objectives: To assess the effect of intravenous sodium nitroprusside and nitroglycerin on coronary blood flow distal to a severe coronary artery stenosis.

Methods: Parameters of coronary arteries and coronary blood flow were measured distally to the stenosis during nitroprusside and nitroglycerin infusions in a dose producing a 25% decrease in mean arterial blood pressure in patients with single-vessel coronary artery disease.

Results: Twenty patients (19 male, mean age 54.