Subcutaneous Nitroglycerin to Prevent Radial Artery Occlusion in Children

Effect of Subcutaneous Nitroglycerin on the Prevention of Radial Artery Occlusion After Radial Artery Catheterization in Pediatric Patients - a Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the vasodilative effect of subcutaneous nitroglycerin to prevent radial arterial occlusion(RAO) after removal of the radial arterial catheter in pediatric patients. The hypothesis of this study is that subcutaneous nitroglycerin will decrease the incidence of radial arterial occlusion after radial arterial catheter removal in pediatric patients by increasing the radial artery size. This is a single-center, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study comparing the effect of subcutaneous nitroglycerin and saline on radial artery cannulation and catheter removal in pediatric patients. Prior to the procedure, each patient will be randomized into either the control arm, saline, or the study arm, nitroglycerin.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients undergoing General anesthesia
• Patients in the Intensive care unit
• Arterial cannulation for hemodynamic monitoring, or multiple blood sample

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unstable vital signs, significant arrhythmia or hypotension, Shock
• High risk of peripheral ischemia
• Skin disease, infection, hematoma, recent cannulation at the radial artery
• History of anaphylaxis to nitroglycerin