BACKGROUND: In the coming years, a significant increase in the number of computed tomography coronary angiographies (CCTA) is expected, leading to an additional burden on existing structures.
OBJECTIVE: Discussion of effective processes and patient preparation in the context of high-volume CCTA.
METHODS: The relevance of patient education and optimized workflows in clinical practice, including pharmacological heart rate control and vasodilation.
RESULTS: To conduct resource-efficient and effective patient examinations, comprehensive and clear patient education is crucial. This can be provided to the patient during scheduling or delivered digitally, so that the patient arrives with a thorough understanding of the examination process. In addition, targeted optimization of workflows tailored to CCTA is important. For high image quality, the administration of β‑blockers is necessary in most cases. This can be done intravenously to save time. The administration of nitrates immediately before the examination is recommended by current guidelines for all patients without contraindications and is ideally applied sublingually shortly before the examination.
CONCLUSIONS: The anticipated increase in CCTA will significantly strain existing structures not only in terms of reporting. Especially standardized and structured workflows pre- and periprocedurally are essential for handling a high number of examinations, while maintaining sufficient image quality in clinical practice.
UNASSIGNED: HINTERGRUND: In den kommenden Jahren wird mit einer hohen Anzahl von Computertomographie-Koronarangiographien (CCTA) zu rechnen sein, was zu einer Mehrbelastung in den bestehenden Strukturen führt.
UNASSIGNED: Diskussion effektiver Prozesse und Patientenvorbereitung im Rahmen der High-volume-CCTA.
METHODS: Relevanz von Patientenaufklärung und -edukation und von optimierten Arbeitsabläufen in der klinischen Praxis inkl. medikamentöser Frequenzkontrolle und Vasodilatation.
UNASSIGNED: Um eine ressourcenschonende und effiziente Patientenuntersuchung durchzuführen, ist eine umfangreiche und verständliche Patientenedukation entscheidend. Diese kann bereits im Rahmen der Terminierung dem Patienten ausgehändigt bzw. digital übermittelt werden, so dass der Patient bei Erscheinen schon ein umfangreiches Wissen zum Untersuchungsablauf hat. Zudem ist eine zielgerichtete und für die CCTA zugeschnittene Optimierung der Arbeitsabläufe wichtig. Für eine hohe Bildqualität ist in den meisten Fällen eine β‑Blocker-Gabe notwendig. Diese kann bspw. zeitsparend rein intravenös erfolgen. Die Gabe von Nitraten unmittelbar vor der Untersuchung wird in den aktuellen Leitlinien für alle Patienten ohne Kontraindikationen empfohlen und wird idealerweise kurz vor der Untersuchung sublingual appliziert.
CONCLUSIONS: Die zu erwartende Zunahme der CCTA wird für die bestehenden Strukturen eine deutliche Mehrbelastung nicht nur im Rahmen der Befundung bedeuten. Insbesondere standardisierte und strukturierte Arbeitsprozesse prä- und periprozedural sind für eine hohe Untersuchungsanzahl bei gleichzeitig suffizienter Bildqualität in der klinischen Praxis erforderlich.

Background: Nitroglycerin is suggested to improve flap survival based on promising results; however, there are no data on the effectiveness of treatment initiation time. This study aimed to compare the effect of various nitroglycerin treatment initiation times on partial flap survival. Materials and Methods: The study included 50 Sprague-Dawley rats. Modified McFarlane flaps were elevated on the dorsum of each rat. Group A received placebo treatment. Groups B, C, D, and E received topical nitroglycerin 2% starting 1 day before surgery, on the day of surgery, postoperative d 2, and postoperative d 4, respectively. After 7 days, the flap survival rates were calculated. Afterward, the severity and extent of inflammation and ischemia, and the severity of edema were evaluated histologically. Results: The flap survival rate was highest in group B, followed by groups C, D, E, and A. The difference between groups B and C was not significant, whereas the difference between group B and groups A, D, and E was. In addition, the difference between groups A, D, and E was not significant. Histological analysis showed that inflammation was less severe in groups B and C than in groups A, D, and E. Ischemia was the most severe in groups A and D and was the least severe in group C. Conclusion: Topical nitroglycerin treatment increases flap survival when initiated before or on the day of surgery, but has no benefit when initiated on postsurgery d 2 or 4. Preoperative initiation of nitroglycerin treatment positively affects flap survival.
Contexte: L’utilisation de la nitroglycérine a été proposée pour améliorer la survie d’un lambeau à partir de résultats prometteurs. Il n’y a cependant aucune donnée sur l’efficacité du délai d’instauration du traitement. Cette étude a visé à comparer l’effet de différents moments d’instauration du traitement avec la nitroglycérine sur la survie d’un lambeau partiel. Matériels et méthodes: L’étude a inclus 50 rats Sprague-Dawley. Des lambeaux modifiés de McFarlane ont été surélevés sur le dos de chaque rat. Le groupe A a reçu un placebo, tandis que les groupes B, C, D et E ont reçu de la nitroglycérine topique à 2% en commençant, respectivement, la veille de la chirurgie, le jour de la chirurgie, 2 jours et 4 jours postopératoires. Les taux de survie du volet ont été calculés après 7 jours. Ensuite, la sévérité et l’étendue de l’inflammation et de l’ischémie ainsi que la sévérité de l’œdème ont été évaluées histologiquement. Résultats: Le taux de survie des volets a été le plus élevé dans le groupe B, suivi des groupes C, D, E et A. La différence entre les groupes B et C n’était pas significative, tandis que la différence entre le groupe B et les groupes A, D et E l’était. En outre, la différence entre les groupes A, et E n’était pas significative. L’analyse histologique a montré que l’inflammation était moins sévère dans les groupes B et C que dans les groupes A, D et E. L’ischémie a été la plus importante dans les groupes A et D et la moins importante dans le groupe C. Conclusion: Le traitement topique avec la nitroglycérine augmente la survie d’un lambeau quand il est commencé le jour de la chirurgie ou avant, mais il n’apporte pas d’avantage s’il est instauré au 2e ou au 4e jour postopératoire. L’instauration d’un traitement par la nitroglycérine en préopératoire a un effet positif sur la survie des lambeaux.

BACKGROUND:  Nurses adjust intravenous nitroglycerin infusions to provide acute relief for angina by manually increasing or decreasing the dosage. However, titration can pose challenges, as excessively high doses can lead to hypotension, and low doses may result in inadequate pain relief. Clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) that predict changes in blood pressure for nitroglycerin dose adjustments may assist nurses with titration.
OBJECTIVE:  This study aimed to design a user interface for a CDSS for nitroglycerin dose titration (Nitroglycerin Dose Titration Decision Support System [nitro DSS]).
METHODS:  A user-centered design (UCD) approach, consisting of an initial qualitative study with semistructured interviews to identify design specifications for prototype development, was used. This was followed by three iterative rounds of usability testing. Nurses with experience titrating nitroglycerin infusions in coronary care units participated.
RESULTS:  A total of 20 nurses participated, including 7 during the qualitative study and 15 during usability testing (2 nurses participated in both phases). Analysis of the qualitative data revealed four themes for the interface design to be (1) clear and consistent, (2) vigilant, (3) interoperable, and (4) reliable. The major elements of the final prototype included a feature for viewing the predicted and actual blood pressure over time to determine the reliability of the predictions, a drop-down option to report patient side effects, a feature to report reasons for not accepting the prediction, and a visual alert indicating any systolic blood pressure predictions below 90 mm Hg. Nurses\' ratings on the questionnaires indicated excellent usability and acceptability of the final nitro DSS prototype.
CONCLUSIONS:  This study successfully applied a UCD approach to collaborate with nurses in developing a user interface for the nitro DSS that supports the clinical decision-making of nurses titrating nitroglycerin.

UNASSIGNED: Nocturnal hemodialysis (nHD) restores the attenuated brachial artery vasodilator responsiveness of patients receiving conventional intermittent hemodialysis (iHD). Its impact on coronary vasodilatation is unknown.
UNASSIGNED: We evaluated 25 patients on hemodialysis who fulfilled transplant criteria: 15 on iHD (4-hour sessions, 3 d/wk) and 10 on nHD (≈40 h/wk over 8-10-hour sessions) plus 6 control participants. Following diagnostic angiography, left anterior descending (LAD) coronary flow reserve and mean luminal diameter were quantified at baseline and during sequential intracoronary administration of adenosine (infusion and bolus), nitroglycerin (bolus), acetylcholine (infusion), acetylcholine coinfused with vitamin C, and, finally, sublingual nitroglycerin.
UNASSIGNED: Coronary flow reserve in those receiving nHD was augmented relative to iHD (3.28±0.26 versus 2.17±0.12 [mean±SEM]; P<0.03) but attenuated, relative to controls (4.80±0.63; P=0.011). Luminal dilatations induced by intracoronary adenosine and nitroglycerin were similar in nHD and controls but blunted in the iHD cohort (P<0.05 versus both). ACh elicited vasodilatation in controls but constriction in both dialysis groups (both P<0.05, versus control); vitamin C coinfusion had no effect. Sublingual nitroglycerin increased mid-left anterior descending diameter and reduced mean arterial pressure in controls (+15.2±2.68%; -16.00±1.60%) and in nHD recipients (+14.78±5.46%; -15.82±1.32%); iHD responses were markedly attenuated (+1.9±0.86%; -5.89±1.41%; P<0.05, all comparisons).
UNASSIGNED: Coronary and systemic vasodilator responsiveness to both adenosine and nitroglycerin is augmented in patients receiving nHD relative to those receiving iHD, whereas vasoconstrictor responsiveness to acetylcholine does not differ. By improving coronary conduit and microvascular function, nHD may reduce the cardiovascular risk of patients on dialysis.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical course and treatment of 3 dogs with peripheral vasopressor extravasation.
METHODS: Although vasopressor extravasation (VE) is a well-documented complication in human medicine, literature describing VE and its management in veterinary patients is sparse. VE increases patient morbidity by causing local tissue injury and necrosis. The gold standard treatment for VE, phentolamine, has been periodically limited in supply in human medicine and is not consistently available for use in veterinary medicine. An alternative protocol proposed for use in people with VE combines topical nitroglycerin application with subcutaneous terbutaline infiltration. In this report, a treatment protocol utilizing these therapies was used to treat 3 dogs with VE and secondary tissue injury.
CONCLUSIONS: This report describes 3 cases of VE-induced tissue injury in dogs. In addition, this report describes the use of perivascular terbutaline infiltration and topical nitroglycerin application as therapeutic management for VE in dogs.

UNASSIGNED: To compare the outcome of botulinum toxin injection with and without glyceryl trinitrate with respect to postoperative pain and healing in the treatment of anal fissures.
METHODS: The prospective, comparative study was conducted at the Department of General Surgery, Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, from September 1, 2021, to August 31, 2022, and comprised adult chronic anal fissure patients of either gender. They were randomised using the lottery method into group A which received botulinum toxin injection, and group B which received botulinum toxin injection plus 1g of 0.2% topical glyceryl trinitrate cream. Post-operative pain was measured 24 hours after the procedure using the visual analogue scale. Healing was assessed by examining the wound for the appearance of granulation tissue 4 weeks post-procedure. Data was analysed using SPSS 26.
RESULTS: Of the 88 patients, 44(50%) were in group A; 32(72.7%) males and 12(27.3%) females with mean age 33.91±14.8 years. There were 44(50%) patients in group B; 35(79.5%) males and 9(20.5%) females with mean age range 36.33±14.9 years. The mean postoperative pain at 24 hours in group A was 4.67±1.16 and it was 3.06±0.65 in group B (p=0.009). In group A, 23(69.7%) patients showed complete healing at 4 weeks compared to 30(90.9%) in group B (p=0.030).
CONCLUSIONS: Botulinum toxin injection with glyceryl trinitrate could be considered as first line of treatment for chronic anal fissure in patients who refuse surgery and with previous sphincter surgery.

BACKGROUND: Conventional anesthesia used to reduce central venous pressure (CVP) during hepatectomy includes fluid restriction and vasodilator drugs, which can lead to a reduction in blood perfusion in vital organs and may counteract the benefits of low blood loss. In this study, we hypothesized that milrinone is feasible and effective in controlling low CVP (LCVP) during laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH). Compared with conventional anesthesia such as nitroglycerin, milrinone is beneficial in terms of intraoperative blood loss, surgical environment, hemodynamic stability, and patients\' recovery.
METHODS: In total, 68 patients undergoing LH under LCVP were randomly divided into the milrinone group (n = 34) and the nitroglycerin group (n = 34). Milrinone was infused with a loading dose of 10 µg/kg followed by a maintenance dose of 0.2-0.5 µg/kg/min and nitroglycerin was administered at a rate of 0.2-0.5 µg/kg/min until the liver lesions were removed. The characteristics of patients, surgery, intraoperative vital signs, blood loss, the condition of the surgical field, the dosage of norepinephrine, perioperative laboratory data, and postoperative complications were compared between groups. Blood loss during LH was considered the primary outcome.
RESULTS: Blood loss during hepatectomy and total blood loss were significantly lower in the milrinone group compared with those in the nitroglycerin group (P < 0.05). Both the nitroglycerin group and milrinone group exerted similar CVP (P > 0.05). Nevertheless, the milrinone group had better surgical field grading during liver resection (P < 0.05) and also exhibited higher cardiac index and cardiac output during the surgery (P < 0.05). Significant differences were also found in terms of fluids administered during hepatectomy, urine volume during hepatectomy, total urine volume, and norepinephrine dosage used in the surgery between the two groups. The two groups showed a similar incidence of postoperative complications (P > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that the intraoperative infusion of milrinone can help in maintaining an LCVP and hemodynamic stability during LH while reducing intraoperative blood loss and providing a better surgical field compared with nitroglycerin.
BACKGROUND: ChiCTR2200056891,first registered on 22/02/2022.

BACKGROUND: Alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR)-mediated astrocytic activation is closely related to central sensitization of chronic migraine (CM). Xiongzhi Dilong decoction (XZDL), originated from Xiongzhi Shigao decoction of Yi-zong-jin-jian, has been confirmed to relieve CM in experiment and clinic. However, its underlying mechanism for treating CM has not been elucidated.
OBJECTIVE: To reveal the underlying mechanisms of XZDL to alleviate CM in vivo focusing mainly on α7nAChR-mediated astrocytic activation and central sensitization in TNC.
METHODS: CM rat model was established by subcutaneous injection of nitroglycerin (NTG) recurrently, and treated with XZDL simultaneously. Migraine-like behaviors of rats (ear redness, head scratching, and cage climbing) and pain-related reactions (mechanical hind-paw withdrawal threshold) of rats were evaluated before and after NTG injection and XZDL administration at different points in time for nine days. The immunofluorescence single and double staining were applied to detect the levels of CGRP, c-Fos, GFAP and α7nAChR in NTG-induced CM rats. ELISA kits were employed to quantify levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in medulla oblongata of CM rats. The expression levels of target proteins were examined using western blotting. Finally, methyllycaconitine citrate (MLA, a specific antagonist of α7nAChR) was applied to further validate the mechanisms of XZDL in vivo.
RESULTS: XZDL significantly attenuated the pain-related behaviors of the NTG-induced CM rats, manifesting as constraints of aberrant migraine-like behaviors including elongated latency of ear redness and decreased numbers of head scratching and cage climbing, and increment of mechanical withdrawal threshold. Moreover, XZDL markedly lowered levels of CGRP and c-Fos, as well as inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) in CM rats. Furthermore, XZDL significantly enhanced α7nAChR expression and its co-localization with GFAP, while markedly inhibited the expression of GFAP and the activation of JAK2/STAT3/NF-κB pathway in the TNC of CM rats. Finally, blocking α7nAChR with MLA reversed the effects of XZDL on astrocytic activation, central sensitization, and the pain-related behaviors in vivo.
CONCLUSIONS: XZDL inhibited astrocytic activation and central sensitization in NTG-induced CM rats by facilitating α7nAChR expression and suppressing JAK2/STAT3/NF-κB pathway, implying that the regulation of α7nAChR-mediated astrocytic activation represents a novel mechanism of XZDL for relieving CM.

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis is the most common complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), with an incidence of approximately 9.7% according to some literature reviews. Recent clinical guidelines propose that glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) can reduce the incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). However, currently, no guidelines provide an exact opinion on GTN and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis.
OBJECTIVE: A meta-analysis was performed of published, full-length, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effects of prophylactic use of GTN, including GTN alone or GTN in combination with NSAIDs, on the prevention of PEP.
METHODS: Literature searches were conducted using PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library. Search terms included \"endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography\" OR \"ERCP,\" \"OR \'PEP\' OR \'post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis\', pancreatitis,\" \"GTN\" OR \"glyceryl trinitrate\" OR \"nitroglycerin,\" \"NSAIDs\" OR \"Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs\" and limited to RCT.
RESULTS: A total of 10 RCTs comprising 3240 patients undergoing ERCP were included. Meta-analysis revealed that the administration of GTN was associated with a significant reduction in the overall incidence of PEP. Moreover, PEP incidence was significantly lower in the GTN combined with the NSAIDs group than in the GTN alone group. GTN alone or GTN combined with NSAIDs may not reduce the severity of PEP (risk ratio = 0.64; 95% confidence interval: 0.41-0.99; P = .04). The difference in incidence between the 2 groups is 1.01% (6/594) in the GTN with NSAIDs group and 2.36% (14/592) in the placebo group.
CONCLUSIONS: GTN has a significant benefit in preventing postoperative ERCP pancreatitis (P < .001). And neither GTN nor GTN plus NSAIDs reduces the incidence of non-mild ERCP postoperative pancreatitis. These conclusions need to be confirmed by high-quality randomized controlled studies with multicenter, large samples, and long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Paeonol (PAE) and glycyrrhizic acid (GLY) are predominate components of 14 blood-entering ones of Piantongtang No. 1, which is a traditional Chinese medicine prescription for chronic migraine with minimal side effects. Both paeonol and glycyrrhizic acid exhibit analgesic, neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties individually. Our previous research has highlighted their combined effect (PAE + GLY) in ameliorating migraine symptoms. However, there are not yet any studies exploring the mechanism of action of PAE + GLY in the treatment of migraine.
OBJECTIVE: This research aimed to determine the mechanism of PAE + GLY in ameliorating the recurrent nitroglycerin-induced migraine-like phenotype in rats.
METHODS: Using a nitroglycerin-induced migraine model via subcutaneous injection in the neck, we evaluated the effect of PAE + GLY on migraine-like symptoms. Behavioural tests and biomarkers analysis were employed, alongside transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq). Mechanistic insights were further verified utilising reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), Western blot (WB), ELISA and immunofluorescence (IF) techniques.
RESULTS: Following treatment with PAE + GLY, hyperalgesia threshold and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels increased, and migraine-like head scratching, histamine and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) levels were reduced. RNA-Seq experiments revealed that PAE + GLY upregulated the expression of Glutamate decarboxylase 2 (GAD2) and γ-aminobutyric acid type B receptor subunit 2 (GABBR2) genes. This upregulation activated the GABAergic synapse pathway, effectively inhibiting migraine attacks. Further validation demonstrated an increase in γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) content in cerebrospinal fluid post PAE + GLY treatment, coupled with increased expression of dural GAD2, GABBR2 and transient receptor potential channel M8 (TRPM8). Consequently, this inhibited the expression of dural cAMP-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PRKACA) and transient receptor potential channel type 1 (TRPV1), subsequently downregulating p-ERK1/2, p-AKT1, IL-1β and TNF-α.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings underscore that PAE + GLY ameliorates inflammatory hyperalgesia migraine by upregulating inhibitory neurotransmitters and modulating the GABBR2/TRPM8/PRKACA/TRPV1 pathway.