THE EFFECTS OF DIHYDROERGOCORNINE ON THE CIRCULATION IN THE EXTREMITIES OF MAN

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Abstract
Dihydroergocornine, an alkaloid of ergot, was administered to 6 patients by intraven. infusion of a soln. containing 0.5 mg. of dihydrocornine per 100 cc. of physiol. saline soln., and to 14 patients by a single intraven. injn. The total dose varied from 0.25 mg. to 0.4 mg. The blood flow was detd. by means of a venous occlusion plethysmograph with the compensating spirometer recorder. Dihydroergocornine produced an over-all avg. increase in the peripheral blood flow of 94% in the upper extremities, and 68% in the lower. In one case the blood flow in the upper extremities decreased 3%. The blood pressure fell in the 2 hypertensive cases after the admn. of dihydroergocornine. In normotensives there was no significant change in blood pressure. The heart rate decreased in every case with an avg. reduction of 13 beats per min. Side reactions, though mild, were more common than previously reported, even with lower dosage. Nasal congestion, nausea, headache, flushing, an urgency for urination and vomiting were the side reactions observed.