title: Nitroglycerin in the prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis: a meta-analysis.
abstract: The objective of this research paper is to evaluate the effect of prophylactic nitroglycerin in the prevention of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP) by performing a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane library, and the Science Citation Index, were searched to retrieve relevant trials. Outcome measures were the incidence of PEP. Four RCTs, enrolling a total of 856 patients, were included. Meta-analysis of these trials indicated a significant association between the use of nitroglycerin and the reduction of PEP (RR 0.60; 95%CI: 0.39-0.92; P = 0.02). However, subsequent sensitive analysis failed to confirm that nitroglycerin was statistically superior to a placebo in reducing PEP (RR 0.68; 95%CI: 0.41-1.11; P = 0.12). Based on the limitations in this meta-analysis, prophylactic use of nitroglycerine for all patients who underwent ERCP is not recommended. Further clinical trials are required to confirm the effect of nitroglycerin in the prevention of PEP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China.
authors.forename: Li-Ming
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.forename: Qing-Yu
authors.initials: QY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Miao-Yan
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jian-Ting
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Cai
mesh_terms: D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D009803:Sphincter of Oddi / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D005996:Nitroglycerin