Nitroglycerin’s explosive beginnings

Clinical
By
Chloe Hava
-

References

  1. Montinari MR, Minelli S, Horowitz JD, De Caterina R. Explosive discovery, surprising future: the extraordinary journey of nitroglycerin, nitroderivatives and nitric oxide. Vasc Pharmacol. 2025;107517.
  2. Brunton TL. On the use of nitrite of amyl in angina pectoris. Lancet. 1867;90(2291):97-98.
  3. Murrell W. Nitro-glycerine as a remedy for angina pectoris. Lancet. 1879;113(2891):113-115.
  4. Murrell W. Nitro-glycerine as a remedy for angina pectoris. London: T. Richards; 1880.
  5. Parratt JR. Nitroglycerin–the first one hundred years: new facts about an old drug. J Pharm Pharmacol. 1979;31(12):801-809.
  6. Kim KH, Adnan G, Schaller DJ. Nitroglycerin. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026.
  7. Elkayam U, Bitar F, Akhter MW, Khan S, Patrus S, Derakhshani M. Intravenous nitroglycerin in the treatment of decompensated heart failure: potential benefits and limitations. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol Ther. 2004;9(4):227-241.
  8. Parker JO, Vankoughnett KA, Farrell B. Nitroglycerin lingual spray: clinical efficacy and dose-response relation. Am J Cardiol. 1986;57(1):1-5.
  9. Taylor SH. The role of transdermal nitroglycerin in the treatment of coronary heart disease. Am Heart J. 1986;112(1):197-207.
  10. Rezaković Dž E Jr, Pavičić L, Majačić M. A randomized placebo controlled, double-blind, crossover trial of transdermal nitroglycerin in stable angina pectoris. Eur Heart J. 1988;9(Suppl A):73-81.
  11. Flaherty JT, Becker LC, Bulkley BH, Weiss JL, Gerstenblith G, Kallman CH, et al. A randomized prospective trial of intravenous nitroglycerin in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Circulation. 1983;68(3):576-588.
  12. Wheeland RG, Gilchrist RW Jr, Young CJ Jr. Treatment of ischemic digital ulcers with nitroglycerin ointment. J Dermatol Surg Oncol. 1983;9(7):548-551.
  13. Levy P, Compton S, Welch R, Delgado G, Jennett A, Penugonda N, et al. Treatment of severe decompensated heart failure with high-dose intravenous nitroglycerin: a feasibility and outcome analysis. Ann Emerg Med. 2007;50(2):144-152.
  14. Grailey K, Glasziou PP. Diagnostic accuracy of nitroglycerine as a ‘test of treatment’ for cardiac chest pain: a systematic review. Emerg Med J. 2012;29(3):173-176.
  15. Henrikson CA, Howell EE, Bush DE, Miles JS, Meininger GR, Friedlander T, et al. Chest pain relief by nitroglycerin does not predict active coronary artery disease. Ann Intern Med. 2003;139(12):979-986.
  16. Wakai A, McCabe A, Kidney R, Brooks SC, Seupaul RA, Diercks DB, et al. Nitrates for acute heart failure syndromes. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;(8):CD005151.