Symptomatic bradycardia following the administration of sublingual nitroglycerin

A case of severe bradycardia with junctional escape immediately following sublingual nitroglycerin is described. Bradycardia is a rare, but well-documented, complication of nitroglycerin and is often reported in the setting of myocardial ischemia or infarction. This particular case reported was complicated by the presence of an angiographically documented congenital coronary anomaly, but did not have either electrocardiographic or enzymatic evidence of ischemia or infarction during this event. Previously reported cases were reviewed, as well as potential mechanisms for this phenomenon. All cases reported to date were easily corrected with passive leg elevation or atropine.