[The effects of dihydroergo-corine,-cryptine and-cristine on Haemodynamics in experimental cardiogenic shock]

Experimental results demonstrate, that serial ligatures of the side brances of the anterior descending and circumflex artery in the openchest dog produce a hemodynamic and electrocardiographic criteria fullfilling cardiogrenic shock. The application of the alpha-receptor-blocking agens Hydergin is followed by a statistically significant increase of the mean aortic pressure, the left ventricular systolic pressure and the mean blood flow in the femoral artery. The left ventricular enddiastolic pressure in the left ventricular enddiastolic pressure in the left ventricle decreases statistically not significant, dp/dtmax is unchanged. Hydergin effects a slope of the increased peripheral vascular ristance; if the peripheral vascular risistance is lowered during cardiogenic shock, there will not be a further lowering after treatment. The results show, that Hydergin causes a dilation of peripheral vasoconstricted vessels without unwanted hemodynamic side effects.

[The effect of an antihypertensive drug during psychological stress. A double-blind study]

A sample of 20 patients suffering hypertension (with a moderate rise in blood pressure) was randomly divided into two treatment groups of equal size. The patients of one group received antihypertension treatment with the combination drug Briserin¿ (containing 0.1 mg reserpine, 5 mg clopamide, 0.5 mg dihydroergocristin/per tablet); the other patients who served as control group, received a matched placebo. After a fortnight's treatment, the responsiveness of both groups to five different psychologically stressing situations (those with cognitive and/or emotional overload) was tested. Analysis of covariance revealed clinically significant differences in the mean systolic and diastolic pressure scores of the two groups. The scores of the treatment group were lower not only under stress but also at rest. There was in interaction between rise of blood pressure under stress and kind of stress in the two groups, i.e., in situations with heavy emotional and/or cognitive load the differences in the pressure scores of the two groups were less substantial than in situations with a low or medium load. The treatment had no systematic effect on heart rate in this sample. In the treatment group reaction time, perceptual speed, and short-term memory were impaired as compared with the control group; but these differences did not reach a level of significance.

Mental decline in the elderly: pharmacotherapy (ergot alkaloids versus papaverine)

This is the first double-blind study in outpatients to evaluate the effectiveness of dihydrogenated ergot alkaloids (DEA) (Hydergine) versus papaverine in the treatment of selected symptoms associated with mental aging. In addition, this is the first study comparing these two pharmacologic agents in relatively young geriatric patients, with a mean age in the mid-sixties. After twelve weeks of treatment, ratings of overall clinical condition and global change showed that the 26 patients given DEA improved more than twice as much as the 27 patients given papaverine. Of the 14 individual symptoms rated, 13 improved significantly more in the DEA group than in the papaverine group. These symptoms included confusion, dizziness, unsociability, depressive mood, and mental alertness. Other data confirmed the generally superior results with DEA. In view of its demonstrated beneficial clinical actions and of its notable scarcity of contraindications or side effects, DEA appears to represent a significant pharmacologic contribution to the care of elderly persons showing selected symptoms of mental and functional decline.

The use of psychoactive drugs in elderly patients with psychiatric disorders: survey conducted in twelve Veterans Administration hospitals

A survey conducted at 12 VA hospitals included the collection of detailed information on the use of psychoactive drugs in 1,276 elderly psychiatric patients. On the day of the survey, 61 per cent of the patients were receiving psychoactive drugs. Prescription practices relating to the choice of drugs, prevalence of drug use, dosage, combination drug preparations, and antiparkinson agents are discussed in terms of such factors as the patient's age and the diagnosis. Also discussed is the literature on psychoactive drugs, particularly as it pertains to elderly populations.