Topical nitroglycerin for management of peripheral extravasation of vasopressors: a case report

Peripheral route for administration of vasopressors is often opted due to resource limitations or as a rescue until central venous access is established. This, however, is not devoid of complications, the most common being extravasation and tissue injury. Phentolamine is the only drug approved for management of vasopressor extravasation; however, successful use of other agents has been reported. Here we report a case of peripheral extravasation of vasopressors, successfully managed with topical nitroglycerin in intensive care unit in Kathmandu. To our knowledge, this is the first report of such kind from Nepal.