title: Local effect of transdermal isosorbide dinitrate ointment on hand vein diameter.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effect of topically applied isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) ointment on superficial hand veins preconstricted with phenylephrine.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using the hand vein compliance technique, venous diameter changes were measured in a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled cross-over trial in 12 healthy volunteers. During preconstriction with phenylephrine, placebo or ISDN ointment was administered to assess the dilator effect of transdermal ISDN. Finally a single i.v. dose of nitroglycerine was administered into the hand vein to assess the maximal venous response to organic nitrovasodilators.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ISDN ointment (equivalent to 13.4 +/- 3.61 mg ISDN) caused a significant dilator effect of 39.1 +/- 21.7% (mean +/- SEM, P=0.02) which reached its maximum after 42.5 +/- 16.6 min. Maximum ISDN effects were inversely correlated with venous baseline diameter (r2=0.38, P=0.03) and independent of the amount of ointment applied or the extent of preconstriction (P > 0.3).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Similar to nitroglycerine, topical ISDN may relax superficial hand veins within 60 min after application, suggesting that it might ease venepuncture particularly of small vessels. The large variability of the effect and the time to reach the effect, however, restrict its practical usefulness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Khanlari
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Linder
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Haefeli
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000187:drug effects*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006225:Hand / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D007548:Isosorbide Dinitrate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009824:Ointments; D010656:Phenylephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018962:Phlebotomy; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014664:Vasodilation; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D009824:Ointments; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D010656:Phenylephrine; D005996:Nitroglycerin; D007548:Isosorbide Dinitrate