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Angina - stable - Evidence
Evidence on short-acting nitrates
Weak evidence indicates that short-acting nitrates are effective for the relief of anginal symptoms.
- In a small trial, 20 people with stable angina pectoris were given nitroglycerin lingual spray 0.2 mg, 0.4 mg, or 0.8 mg or placebo [Parker et al, 1983].
- Nitroglycerin spray was found to be effective in treating exercise-induced or spontaneous episodes of angina pectoris.
- The response to 0.2 mg, 0.4 mg, and 0.8 mg of nitroglycerin spray (in terms of time to onset of angina while walking on a treadmill) was better than the response to placebo (p < 0.05), with increased exercise times of 118 seconds, 144 seconds, and 167 seconds, respectively.
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