PHENTOLAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE IN PREVENTION OF CUTANEOUS NECROSIS DUE TO LEVARTERENOL

Abstract

It is reasonable to assume that the mechanism by which phentolamine reverses the ischemia associated with extravasation or tissue diffusion of levarterenol is through blockage of action by the latter on adrenergic effector cells. Accumulated evidence indicates that cutaneous necrosis is a preventable complication of levarterenol administration if careful observation for ischemic areas is carried out in all patients who have received levarterenol, with prompt institution of prophylactic instillation of phentolamine when indicated.