Ergotism is a complication of the acute intoxication or chronic abuse of ergot derivatives. It may be manifested by a vasomotor
syndrome with
peripheral vascular disease frequently involving
extremities . We
report three
patients infected with
human immunodeficiency virus (
HIV ), in antiretroviral
treatment (
ART ) that included a
protease inhibitor as
ritonavir , and had received
self -medicated
ergotamine . They developed symptoms of
peripheral vascular disease and the
physical examination showed no arterial
pulses in the affected vessels. Arterial Doppler confirmed signs of diffuse arterial
spasm in all of them. An
arteriography was performed to the second
patient and it showed obliteration of the distal sector of the ulnar and
radial arteries .
Ergotism secondary to
ergotamine -
ritonavir association was diagnosed.
Patients were treated discontinuing the
administration of involved
drugs , arterial
vasodilators and prophylactic anticoagulation, with marked improvement of symptoms.