The effects of sublingual nitroglycerin administration in coronary computed tomography angiography

• Published in: Clinical imaging 2020-04, Vol.60 (2), p.194-199
• Main Authors: Kutaiba, Numan, Lukies, Matthew, Galea, Michael, Begbie, Mark, Smith, Gerard, Kearney, Leighton, Spelman, Tim, Lim, Ruth P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Angina pectoris; Angiography; Arteries; Atherosclerosis; Automation; Body mass index; Cardiovascular disease; Clinical medicine; Computed tomography; Coronary arterial size; Coronary artery; Coronary artery disease; Coronary computed tomography angiography; Coronary vessels; Diameters; Dosage; Heart rate; Image quality; Medical imaging; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Nitroglycerin; Oral administration; Quality; Quality assessment; Segments; Studies; Tomography
• ISSN: 0899-7071; 1873-4499; 1873-4499
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2019.11.019

The purpose of our study was to compare coronary luminal diameters in patients undergoing coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) performed with different sublingual nitroglycerin (NTG) spray regimens. We retrospectively reviewed CCTA studies performed in two historical groups (Group 1, single dose nitroglycerin 2 min prior to CCTA, and Group 2, single dose 10 min prior), and a current protocol group (Group 3, single dose at 2 and 10 min prior). Thirty patients were evaluated per group. Two blinded readers measured coronary luminal diameters with comparison of diameter measurements. A third blinded reader assessed image quality of coronary artery segments. Significant group-level differences in median luminal diameters were identified. Higher median diameters (95% CI) across all segments of 0.40 mm (0.20, 0.60) for Group 2 versus 1 and 0.50 mm (0.30, 0.70) for Group 3 versus 1 were recorded (both P