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  • Perinatal/Neonatal Case Presentation
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Perinatal/Neonatal Case Presentation

Resolution of Peripheral Artery Catheter-induced Ischemic Injury Following Prolonged Treatment with Topical Nitroglycerin Ointment in a Newborn: A Case Report

Journal of Perinatology volume 23, pages 348–350 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

Tissue ischemia, necrosis, and gangrene are uncommon but well-described complications of arterial catheterization in the neonate. Treatment options for progressive tissue necrosis following arterial embolization and/or vasospasm are limited in these patients secondary to unpredictable pharmacokinetics and risks associated with systemic anticoagulation or vasodilatation in newborns. We report a case of a multidose regimen of topical 2% nitroglycerin ointment for reversing severe tissue ischemia following peripheral arterial line placement. The favorable response in this infant suggests that topical nitroglycerin therapy should be considered as potential therapy to ameliorate the effects of vascular compromise following arterial line placement in neonates.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Renee Stavenik, CCRN, for her assistance with the pictures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics/Neonatology, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Saint Peter's University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ, USA

    Pedro Vasquez MD, Angela Burd RNC, APNC, Rajeev Mehta MD, FRCP, Mark Hiatt MD & Thomas Hegyi MD

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  1. Pedro Vasquez MD
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  2. Angela Burd RNC, APNC
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  3. Rajeev Mehta MD, FRCP
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  4. Mark Hiatt MD
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  5. Thomas Hegyi MD
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Vasquez, P., Burd, A., Mehta, R. et al. Resolution of Peripheral Artery Catheter-induced Ischemic Injury Following Prolonged Treatment with Topical Nitroglycerin Ointment in a Newborn: A Case Report. J Perinatol 23, 348–350 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7210870

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