ABSTRACT
The effect of nifedipine on fingertip hemodynamics was studied in 10 patients with Raynaud's phenomenon. Fingertip blood flow (FBF) was determined in a 20 degrees C environment by venous occlusion air plethysmography and fingertip vascular resistance (FVR) was calculated from the mean blood pressure and the FBF. Nifedipine, administered as a 10 mg sublingual dose, increased FBF in 8 of the 10 patients. FVR for the 10 patients decreased 40% from 40.7 +/- 10.8 to 24.2 +/- 6.1 U (p less than 0.05). Seven of the 10 patients were followed in a crossover placebo-controlled clinical trial. The frequency and severity of Raynaud's phenomenon was less in all seven patients when taking nifedipine as compared to placebo. Nifedipine-induced fingertip vasodilation may contribute to clinical improvement in some patients with Raynaud's phenomenon.
Subject(s)
Fingers/blood supply , Nifedipine/pharmacology , Raynaud Disease/physiopathology , Vasodilation/drug effects , Adult , Blood Pressure/drug effects , Clinical Trials as Topic , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Nifedipine/therapeutic use , Plethysmography , Raynaud Disease/drug therapy , Vascular Resistance/drug effectsABSTRACT
Dacarbazine (DTIC-Dome) is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent employed in the therapy of malignant melanoma. In this communication, we present two patients who developed photosensitivity skin reactions immediately after its administration. Physicians using dacarbazine should be aware of this side effect and should instruct patients to avoid solar exposure following infusions of this drug.
