title: Severe reversible arterial spasm with ergotamine.
abstract: A patient is described with marked unilateral arterial spasm of the proximal vessels and severe ischaemia of the left foot as a result of excessive use of ergotamine tartrate. Treatment with intravenous heparin infusion followed by chemical sympathectomy was successful.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Doncaster.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Paraskevopoulos
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Teasdale
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Cuschieri
mesh_terms: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000506:poisoning; D004878:Ergotamine / Q000506:poisoning; D004881:Ergotism / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000098:blood supply*; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007511:Ischemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013035:Spasm / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D006493:Heparin; D004878:Ergotamine