Transdermal Glyceryl Trinitrate Administration to the Limb of Peripheral Artery Disease Improves Intermittent Claudication

Abstract

Single-blind crossover study evaluating the efficacy of transdermal administration of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) for intermittent claudication was performed. Eleven patients who had symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD) were enrolled. The patients were administered GTN tape or placebo tape on the calves of the diseased side limb. Treadmill test and answering walking impairment questionnaire (WIQ2) were required before and after 14 days of GTN administration. After 7 days of washout period, they were administered the other tape and had test as well as former period. The patients were randomly divided into GTN tape first group and placebo tape first group. All patients accomplished the whole series and did not show any side effects. The data showed no carry-over effects. Maximum walking distance (MWD) and WIQ2 score significantly increased by the administration of GTN tape. Pain-free walking distance (PWD) had a tendency to increase though that was not statistically significant. Proximal (iliac) lesion group was thought to respond to GTN tape more than distal (infrainguinal) lesion group. The transdermal administration of GTN tape was thought to improve the intermittent claudication of PAD patients.