Hemodynamic Effects of Ethanol in Patients with Cardiac Disease

Abstract

After 30 minutes, 90 cc of whisky containing 43% alcohol produced no significant changes in heart rate, systemic arterial pressure or pulmonary artery pressure in 15 nonalcoholics with cardiac disorders. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure rose significantly. The stroke index remained the same or fell while arterial pressure did not change, consequently peripheral resistance rose, contrary to the view that alcohol is a peripheral vasodilator.