The effect of pre-procedural sublingual nifedipine on radial artery diameter.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the effect of nifedipine on radial artery (RA) relaxation before puncture for coronary intervention. Methods In all, 120 patients were randomly assigned to nifedipine or control group. The diameter, resistance index (RI), and peak systolic velocity (PSV) of the RA were observed at 5, 15, and 30 min after nifedipine administration by a Doppler ultrasound examination. Results The greatest effect on RA diameter, PSV and resistance index (RI) was observed 5 minutes after sublingual nifedipine administration. The RA parameter were associated with the baseline diameter. Conclusions Sublingual nifedipine administration before RA puncture has an obvious dilatation effect on small diameter RAs.