THE EFFECT OF PROTOVERATRINE ON THE CARDIAC OUTPUT AND ON SOME REGIONAL CIRCULATIONS IN MAN 1

Abstract

Protoveratrine is a mixture of two purified alka- loids derived from veratrum album. According to Meilman and Krayer (1) it has a marked and re- producible depressor effect when given intrave- nously to hypertensive patients. This effect has been confirmed (2) and the drug has been ad- ministered in the long term management of se- vere hypertension (3). It therefore becomes im- portant to know whether the depressor action of Protoveratrine 3 is a result of a reduction in car- diac output, or of a decrease in total peripheral resistance, and if the latter, what vascular area is chiefly involved. Observations bearing on these questions are presented herewith.