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Ultrasonic Investigation of the Effect of Topical Glyceryl Trinitrate on Peripheral Arm Vein Diameter: Implications for Intravenous Nutrition
Author(s) -
Everitt Nicholas James
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of parenteral and enteral nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.935
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 1941-2444
pISSN - 0148-6071
DOI - 10.1177/0148607199023006360
Subject(s) - medicine , basilic vein , cephalic vein , thrombophlebitis , vein , ultrasonography , peripheral , anesthesia , superficial vein , tail vein , surgery , thrombosis , microbiology and biotechnology , in vivo , biology
Background: It has been suggested that topical glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) ointment may cause venodilatation and hence deter thrombophlebitis. However, objective evidence of an increase in vein diameter has not been demonstrated. Methods: B mode ultrasonography was used to measure arm vein diameter. In a prospective study, measurements were taken before and after 24 hours of exposure to topical GTN. Results: Reproducibility of vein diameter measurement was demonstrated. Basilic veins were larger than cephalic veins, but exposure to GTN ointment for 24 hours was not associated with measurable venodilatation. Conclusions: Ultrasonography enabled noninvasive measurement of intraluminal vein diameter. It is unlikely that GTN prevents thrombophlebitis in superficial arm veins by causing venodilatation. (Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 23:360–362, 1999)