Use of Vasodilator Drugs and Body Warming in Evaluating Peripheral Vascular Disease

Abstract

Blood flow and vasoconstriction in the skin of the extremities was estimated by recording the skin temp., the room temp. and the forehead temp. with iron-constantin thermocouples. Vasoconstriction was induced by placing the subject in a cool environment (17-21[degree]C). After the development of vasoconstriction the vasodilator effects were recorded of tetraethyl ammonium and of benzyl imidazoline, injd. intramus., and of warming the body with heat lamps. All 3 induced vasodilation in some normal subjects. Body warming was most effective in abolishing vasoconstriction in the hand and tetraethyl ammonium in the foot. Benzyl imidazoline was about equally effective on both hand and foot. Tetraethyl ammonium or benzyl imidazoline plus body warming most consistently induced vasodilation in both hand and foot. From these results it was concluded that one could be most certain that avsopasm had been abolished by the use of 150 mg. or more or benzyl imidazoline plus body warming. An example of the use of benzyl imidazoline plus body warming in a patient with occlusive vascular disease of one foot was presented.