Topical nitroglycerin is described as...

Topical nitroglycerin is described as...

• A. It is used to prevent angina attacks and cannot be used to treat an attack
• B. It can be used to treat an acute angina attack
• C. It is contraindicated in all patients with chest pain
• D. It has no role in angina management

Answer: (C)

Topical nitroglycerin is used for prevention of angina rather than for rapid relief. It delivers nitroglycerin through the skin slowly, causing venodilation that lowers preload and reduces myocardial oxygen demand over time. Because of this slow and variable absorption, it does not reliably stop an ongoing angina attack; a fast-acting route such as sublingual nitroglycerin is preferred for acute relief. So the best description is that topical nitroglycerin is used to prevent angina attacks and cannot be used to treat an attack. It is not contraindicated in all patients with chest pain and it does have a role in angina management, though not for immediate attack relief.

Topical nitroglycerin is used for prevention of angina rather than for rapid relief. It delivers nitroglycerin through the skin slowly, causing venodilation that lowers preload and reduces myocardial oxygen demand over time. Because of this slow and variable absorption, it does not reliably stop an ongoing angina attack; a fast-acting route such as sublingual nitroglycerin is preferred for acute relief. So the best description is that topical nitroglycerin is used to prevent angina attacks and cannot be used to treat an attack. It is not contraindicated in all patients with chest pain and it does have a role in angina management, though not for immediate attack relief.