[Isotope study of the effects of a nitrate derivative on pulmonary blood volume. Application in the treatment of cardiogenic pulmonary edema].

Isotopic study of pulmonary and ventricular blood volumes after the ingestion of 5 mg of isosorbide dinitrate showed that cardio-pulmonary blood volume decreased by 380 ml without any change in total circulating blood volume. The demonstration of this effective "internal venesection" explains the fall in capillary pressure seen after the administration of nitrate derivatives. It justifies their use in the treatment of acute pulmonary oedema or refractory cardiac failure and explains the results observed.