Alpha and Beta-Blockade and Beta-Stimulation in Raynaud's Syndrome: A Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled, Single Dose Study:

We examined in a double blind fashion and placebo controlled the effects of some alpha and beta adrenergic receptor agonists and antagonists on the recov ery of finger skin temperature 12 min after finger cooling (5 min waterbath for both hands) in twelve patients with Raynaud's syndrome. A favourable effect was established on phenoxybenzamine 20 mg as compared to placebo. A signifi cant but rather small effect on orciprenaline 10 mg. The beta-agonists pre nalterol (10 mg) and terbutaline (5 mg) did not influence the recovery of finger skin temperature. The beneficial effect of phenoxybenzamine 20 mg was not influenced by the addition of beta-agonists (prenalterol 10 mg or terbutaline 5 mg) or a beta-blocker (propranolol 40 mg).The beta-agonists terbutaline and orciprenaline caused a fall in diastolic pressure and an increase in heart rate. These effects presumably were con nected with one collaps and three near-collapses. On alpha- and beta-blocker (phenoxybenzamine and propranolol) a decrease in systoli...