Pediatric anesthesia & critical care
Effect of Subcutaneous Versus Topical Nitroglycerin on the Radial Artery Dimensions in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Surgery: A Randomized Non-inferiority Trial
Authors' conclusion
Topical NTG was statistically non-inferior to subcutaneous NTG in increasing the radial artery vertical diameter.
Study context
- Population
- Children aged 2 to 8 years undergoing surgery requiring radial arterial catheterization
- Participants
- 45 children
- Comparison
- Topical nitroglycerin (NTG) patch vs subcutaneous NTG
- Primary endpoint
- Increase in post-intervention radial artery vertical diameter (ultrasound)
Methodological detailsnon-inferiority, Pediatric and cardiac operating rooms, tertiary care hospital
- Non-inferiority
- Pediatric and cardiac operating rooms, tertiary care hospital
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Increase in vertical diameter
- Topical NTG met the predefined criterion for non-inferiority vs subcutaneous NTG
- Non-inferiority margin, −0.3 mm
Further findings
First-attempt cannulation success
P = 0.049
| Outcome | Subcutaneous NTG | Topical NTG | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage increase in vertical diameter | 0.45% ± 11.76% | 15.6% ± 16.18% | P = 0.002 |
| Percentage increase in horizontal diameter | 3.53% ± 16.01% | 19.72% ± 16.42% | P = 0.001 |
| Percentage increase in cross-sectional area | 3.6% ± 18.02% | 38.29% ± 26.65% | P < 0.001 |
| Percentage increase in radial artery depth | 84.35% ± 47.09% | −0.37% ± 15.8% | P < 0.001 |
Safety
- No NTG-related adverse events or significant hemodynamic changes in either group
Original publication
Effect of Subcutaneous Versus Topical Nitroglycerin on the Radial Artery Dimensions in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Surgery: A Randomized Non-inferiority Trial. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. Published 4 March 2026. doi:10.
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