Successful Treatment of Orthostatic Hypotension with 9-Alpha-Fluorohydrocortisone

Abstract

THERE is direct evidence that the postural hypotension attending primary autonomic insufficiency results from a failure of the sympathetic-nerve endings to release nor-epinephrine in response to a gravitational stress.^{1 , 2} Attempts at treatment of this condition with a host of pressor substances, supplementary sodium chloride, desoxycorticosterone, vasopressin and mechanical appliances (elastic stockings, abdominal binders and so forth) have been reported.^{3 4 5 6 7} It is the purpose of this report to describe the successful treatment with 9-alpha-fluorohydrocortisone of the postural hypotension of a patient severely disabled with primary autonomie insufficiency. A method is described to indicate that the basic defect was not altered despite . . .