Effect of lumbar sympathetic blockade and chlorpromazine-induced adrenergic alpha-receptor blockade on skin temperature in peripheral arterial diseases.

The post-cooling toe temperature changes after lumbar sympathetic blockade and after intramuscular administration of an adrenergic alpha-receptor blocking substance (chlorpromazine) were studied in 14 patients with impending gangrene because of peripheral arterial insufficiency. The post-cooling temperature rise was similar after sympathetic blockage and chlorpromazine administration and significantly different from the basal toe temperature changes after cooling. It is concluded that administration of an adrenergic alpha-receptor blocking substance is as good as the lumbar sympathetic blockage for evaluation of a remaining sympathetic vasomotor tone in arterial disease patients.