Use of nitroglycerin ointment to prevent hypertensive response during electroconvulsive therapy--a study of 50 cases.

Fifty patients of either sex, aged between 20 and 60 years undergoing electroconvulsive therapy were included in our study. Each patient was used as his/her own control. We observed the cardiovascular changes without nitroglycerin ointment in the first sitting and in the next sitting with the application of 2 inches of 2% nitroglycerin ointment 45 min before the electroconvulsive therapy. Arterial blood pressure and heart rate increase during electroconvulsive therapy can be effectively attenuated by application of 2 inches of 2% nitroglycerin ointment 45 min before the electroconvulsive therapy (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01 resp.). This may be especially beneficial for patients who are at increased risk of myocardial ischemia and stroke.