PS-198 Topical Glyceryl Trinitrate Ointment To Aid Umbilical Artery Cannulation In Neonates

Abstract

Umbilical artery cannulation is a common neonatal procedure that is often challenging because umbilical arteries constrict after birth. We aimed to determine whether the topical application of a vasodilating ointment prior to cannulation increases success and decreases the time taken to cannulate. Discarded umbilical cords were collected immediately after delivery and two 3 cm sections proximal to the baby were used for the study. 0.1mL topical Glyceryl Trinitrate (GTN) ointment (0.2% w/w) was applied to the surface of one section for 5 min prior to cannulation, whereas the second section acted as the control. After ointment removal, medical staff blinded to intervention attempted to cannula..