title: Successful treatment of threatening limb loss ischemia of the upper limb caused by ergotamine. A case report and review of the literature.
abstract: We report a case of ischemia limited to the upper limb caused by chronic use of ergotamine. The effect of this drug was not related to hypersensitivity or to the potentiating effects of other medications. The patient was successfully treated discontinuing ergotamine and administering an alpha-blocking agent for three months. A review of the literature of the vascular complications of ergotamine is presented.
authors.affiliation: Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation, General Campus McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Safar
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Alanezi
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Cinà
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000792:Angiography; D001132:Arm / Q000098:blood supply*; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D004878:Ergotamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D011224:Prazosin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018170:Sumatriptan / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D018170:Sumatriptan; D004878:Ergotamine; D011224:Prazosin