[Correction of the alphamimetic effects of metaraminol by nicergoline]

In this work, the authors are studying the cardio-vascular effects of nicergoline. To do so, the drug is made to compete with metaraminol whose dominant alphamimetic effects are known. This experimentation was performed in 7 patients in coma stage III or IV and whose vascular receptors were active. Those 7 patients were submitted continuous metaraminol perfusion and a steady state vasoconstriction was thus obtained. A single intravenous injection of 10 mg nicergoline resulted in vasodilation with a fall in vascular resistance and a moderate fall in mean blood pressure. Cardiac output remained unchanged. This work confirme thus the alphasympatholytic effects of nicergoline.