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Abstract
Treatment of orthostatic hypotension due to autonomic failure frequently necessitates
use of pressor agents. Because venous pooling contributes significantly to this disorder,
the venoconstrictive properties of ergotamine offer theoretical advantages over pure
arteriolar pressor agents. However, the low and erratic bioavailability of oral preparations
has hindered the use of ergotamine. Accordingly, the efficacy of inhaled ergotamine
tartrate (1 puff, 0.36 mg) was compared to placebo in 8 patients with severe autonomic
failure. Blood pressure was monitored in the seated position with an automated device.
Ergotamine produced significant increases in systolic (29 ± 5 mm Hg, p < 0.01 by analysis
of variance) and diastolic (13 ± 1 mm Hg, p < 0.001) blood pressures compared to placebo
(−9 ± 5 and −2 ± 3, respectively). Upright blood pressure 2 hours after administration
was significantly greater with ergotamine (![Math Eq]()
) vs placebo (![Math Eq]()
). Motionless standing time, a measurement of functional capacity, also improved with
ergotamine (200 ± 58 vs 85 ± 22 seconds). No side effects were noted, but patients
with coronary or peripheral artery disease were excluded. Inhaled ergotamine may provide
an effective and practical therapy for disabling orthostatic hypotension due to autonomic
failure.
) vs placebo (
). Motionless standing time, a measurement of functional capacity, also improved with
ergotamine (200 ± 58 vs 85 ± 22 seconds). No side effects were noted, but patients
with coronary or peripheral artery disease were excluded. Inhaled ergotamine may provide
an effective and practical therapy for disabling orthostatic hypotension due to autonomic
failure.To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
August 30,
1989
Received:
July 17,
1989
Footnotes
☆This study was supported in part by grant RR 00095 from the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, and a grant from the Dysautonomia Foundation, New York, New York. Preliminary results of this work were presented at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association, Washington, DC, November 14–17, 1988.
Identification
Copyright
© 1990 Published by Elsevier Inc.
