Combination use of diltiazem and nitroglycerin in preventing radial artery spasm in performing coronary angiography：observation of its efficacy and safety / 介入放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of combination use of diltiazem and nitroglycerin in preventing radial artery spasm in performing coronary angiography via radial artery access. Methods During the period from Dec. 2012 to June 2013 at authors’ hospital, coronary angiography via radial artery access was carried out in a total of 200 patients. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups nitroglycerin group (n = 100) and combination group (n = 100). After successful placement of catheter sheath 200 μg of nitroglycerin was injected through the sheath in the patients of the nitroglycerin group, while 200 μg of nitroglycerin together with 2 mg diltiazem was injected through the sheath in the patients of the combination group. The heart rate , blood pressure and electrocardiogram were recorded with an electrocardio-pressure monitor before the injection as well as at 2, 5, 15 and 30 minutes after the injection. The occurrence of radial artery spasm and patient ’s general condition were also under observation. Results Radial artery spasm occurred in 5 patients of the combination group , while it occurred in 13 patients of the nitroglycerin group, the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P 0.05). Conclusion For the coronary intervention via radial artery access , combination use of diltiazem and nitroglycerin can more effectively prevent the occurrence of radial artery spasm. Besides , combination use of diltiazem and nitroglycerin has no obvious effect on the heart rate , the blood pressure and the electrocardiogram.