Peripheral Blood Flow in Chronic Ergotism

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Abstract
Muscle blood flow (MBF) was determined in 11 patients on chronic overdoses of ergotamine tartrate [a drug used in the treatment of migraine] and in 12 controls, using the local 133Xe clearance method. The difference in MBF between the groups was insignificant, 59.7 .+-. 21.4 and 61.6 .+-. 10.8 ml/100 g per min, respectively. Six patients taking ergotamine in doses exceeding 0.25 mg/kg per wk showed a significant (P < 0.01) reduction of MBF (45.2 .+-. 10.7 ml/100 g per min). This reduction could be measured before the manifestation of symptoms or signs of circulatory insufficiency.