Topical nitroglycerin ointment for treatment of acute hypertension in hospitalized inpatients

Background: Hypertension in the hospital setting is common; however, guidelines provide limited guidance specific to the inpatient setting. Acute antihypertensive treatment options can be limited in this setting by monitoring requirements of intravenous medications and patients' inability to take oral medications. A possible treatment choice used to treat acute hypertension is nitroglycerin ointment. Nitroglycerin is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for this condition, and limited evidence exists to support this indication.

Objective: To evaluate the statistical and clinical effectiveness of nitroglycerin ointment as a treatment option for acute hypertension based on a 20 mm Hg or greater reduction in systolic blood pressure.

Methods: A retrospective chart review at a large tertiary community teaching hospital was performed on all adult noncardiac inpatients with an episode of acute hypertension that resulted in the administration of nitroglycerin ointment.

Results: Seventy-two patients met inclusion criteria with a total of 112 applications of nitroglycerin ointment. Of the 112 applications, systolic blood pressure decreased 20 mm Hg or more in 42% of occurrences with a median decrease of 16 mm Hg.

Conclusion: Study results suggest possible efficacy of nitroglycerin ointment for the treatment of acute hypertension in noncardiac hospitalized patients.