Isosorbit 5-mononitrate is useful in ischaemic heart disease and in cardiac failure because of its favourable pharmacokinetic properties, in particular the absence of the so-called first pass effect, the great biological availability and long elimination time. The authors demonstrated on the preparation Elentan long, Schwarz Monheim GFR, which contains 50 mg isosorbit 5-mononitrate the improved efficiency of the left ventricle after three months administration to 15 patients with confirmed ischaemic heart disease, by exerting a favourable effect on the diastolic, systolic and global left ventricular function. Nitrates are drugs of first choice in some forms of ischaemic heart disease and are also effective in cardiac failure because they exert a marked effect on some cardiac functions on which the efficiency of the left ventricle depends. Elentan long proved, while using simple dosage, a preparation with favourable characteristics as regards biological availability and nitrate tolerance.

Keywords: Coronary Disease /drug therapy/; Delayed-Action Preparations; Hemodynamics /drug effects/; Humans; Isosorbide Dinitrate /administration & dosage/