[The effects of sympathicolysis on interdigestive small bowel motility (author's transl)]

The effect of the alpha-sympathicolytic agent dihydroergotamin-heparin (DHEH) on small bowel motility was examined in a double-blind cross-over study. Intraluminal pressure of the duodenum and jejunum was measured manometrically in 10 healthy volunteers. Sympathicolysis by subcutaneous injection of DHEH increased the number of contractions in the duodenum and jejunum significantly. Under the influence of DHEH, the number of activity fronts of the interdigestive migrating motor complex was higher than in the placebo experiments; however, the difference was not statistically significant. These results may give an explanation for the beneficial effects of this alpha-sympathicolytic agent seen in the prophylaxis and therapy of paralytic ileus.