Sublingual Nitroglycerin Administration to Relieve Radial Artery Vasospasm and Retrieve Wedged Catheter: A Consideration in Neuroangiography

Abstract

Background Radial artery spasm is a common hinderance during transradial approaches for neuroangiography. Ways of alleviation have been described, including patient sedation, local lidocaine, or even prophylactic administration of intra‐arterial vasodilators. Methods We present a case of a wedged catheter attributable to radial artery spasm, which failed all conventional methods to relieve spasm. Results The catheter was ultimately removed after administration of sublingual nitroglycerin. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first time sublingual nitrogen has been reported as an effective means to alleviate radial artery spasm during a transradial approach for neuroangiography.