Topical nitroglycerin. A safeguard against pressor responses to tracheal intubation

In order to attenuate the pressor response to intubation of the trachea we have studied the effects of 2% nitroglycerin ointment rubbed on the forehead approximately 12 minutes prior to intubation. A double blind, randomized design was used in 56 consecutive patients. Of these, 30 patients received the ointment while 26 patients formed the control group. The maximum rise in the systolic arterial pressure was significantly lower (p less than 0.001) in the group (7.66 mmHg, 6.2%) as compared to the control group (25.7 mmHg, 20.2%). The rise in arterial pressure persisted for up to 4 minutes in the control group, but lasted for only one minute in the nitroglycerine group. The pulse rate, however, increased in both groups to an equal extent. We have found the application of 2% nitroglycerine ointment to be a safe, inexpensive, comfortable and effective means of attenuating the pressor response to intubation of the trachea.