Subclinical ergotism

Lancet. 1977 Jul 9;2(8028):65-6. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(77)90065-4.

Abstract

The systolic blood-pressure at the ankle and the first toe was measured in 30 patients, mean age 42, who had taken ergotamine regularly for more than a year. With one exception, the patients had no symptoms or signs of arterial insufficiency in the limbs, but all had low-normal or abnormal foot systolic blood-pressures. In a group of 13 patients who stopped taking ergotamine the distal pressures rose significantly and from the ninth day were normal.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Ankle / blood supply
  • Arm / blood supply
  • Blood Pressure Determination
  • Ergotamine / poisoning
  • Ergotamine / therapeutic use
  • Ergotism / diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypotension / chemically induced
  • Hypotension / diagnosis
  • Intermittent Claudication / chemically induced
  • Intermittent Claudication / diagnosis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Plethysmography, Impedance
  • Toes / blood supply

Substances

  • Ergotamine