Effect of reserpine in Raynaud's phenomenon

• Published in: Circulation (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 39; no. 2; pp. 259 - 266
• Main Authors: Kontos, H A, Wasserman, A J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.02.1969
• Subjects: Adult; Blood Pressure - drug effects; Blood Vessels - drug effects; Blood Vessels - physiopathology; Epinephrine - blood; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hand - blood supply; Humans; Ice; Injections, Intra-Arterial; Male; Middle Aged; Norepinephrine - blood; Raynaud Disease - blood; Raynaud Disease - drug therapy; Raynaud Disease - physiopathology; Reserpine - administration & dosage; Reserpine - pharmacology; Reserpine - therapeutic use; Skin - blood supply; Tyramine - pharmacology; Vascular Resistance - drug effects
• ISSN: 0009-7322; 1524-4539
• DOI: 10.1161/01.CIR.39.2.259

The responses of the blood vessels of the hand to intra-arterial infusion of tyramine and to application of ice to the forehead were examined in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon and in normal subjects. The vasoconstrictor responses to tyramine and to ice were not significantly different in the patients and control subjects. Following intra-arterial administration of reserpine the vasoconstrictor response to tyramine was unaffected, while that in response to ice was significantly reduced to a comparable extent in both the patients and the control subjects. Catecholamine concentrations in brachial arterial and hand venous plasma were not significantly different in the patients and in the control subjects. Following oral administration of reserpine (1 mg/day) the vasoconstrictor responses to intra-arterial tyramine and to the application of ice were markedly reduced in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon. In response to this form of treatment eight of the nine patients followed for 1 to 3 years showed improvement characterized by decreased frequency and severity of vasospastic attacks and by healing of ulcerations. In two patients the improvement was temporary despite continued reserpine therapy.