Functional cardiovascular disturbances—Their response to drugs acting on the autonomic nervous system

Abstract

1. 1. Two types of hemodynamic disturbances are observed in neurocirculatory asthenia. These per se physiologic states are pathologic only if they are not commensurate with the physiologic demands of the organism: 1.1. (a) “Ergotropic” state—hyper-responsive circulation with a high stroke and minute volume, lowered peripheral resistance and a tendency toward hypertension. 1.2. (b) “Histotropic” state—reduced circulation with a low stroke and minute volume and a tendency to hypotension. 2. 2. It has been shown that Bellergal, a combination of Bellafoline, ergotamine tartrate, and phenobarbital may normalize both types of circulatory dystonia. 3. 3. Ergotamine tartrate intravenously depresses the circulation in the “ergotropic” and normal individual and increases circulation only in the extreme “histotropic” patient. 4. 4. Bellafoline intravenously increases the “histotropically” depressed circulation and depresses the “ergotropically” elevated circulation. 5. 5. Phenobarbital intravenously depresses the “ergotropic” circulation and may in some “histotropic” cases raise the stroke and minute volume. 6. 6. The combination of these three substances (intravenously) in “ergotropic” and normal states leads to a drop in stroke and minute volumes. An increase in circulatory values occurs in some “histotropic” individuals. 7. 7. Bellergal by mouth normalizes the “ergotropic” state as well as the “histotropic” circulatory state after several days of administration.