Raynaud's phenomenon in patients treated with cisplatin, vinblastine, and bleomycin for germ cell cancer: measurement of vasoconstrictor response to cold.

The prevalence of Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) was studied in patients treated with cisplatin, vinblastine, and bleomycin. Thirty-two patients with germ cell cancer were followed for a median of 78 months (range, 49 to 106 months). All had obtained complete remission during treatment; none had relapsed at last follow-up examination. All blood samples, including serum magnesium, were normal. The arterial vasoconstrictor response to cold in the finger was measured by cuff- and strain-gauge techniques at 30, 15, and 10 degrees C. Blood pressure (BP) was measured auscultatorily, using a 12-cm broad cuff on the ipsilateral upper arm. Fourteen patients (44%) had developed anamnestic RP, and all showed an exaggerated response to cold; arterial closure was provoked in nine patients. Eighteen patients (56%) were without finger symptoms. These patients had an exaggerated response to cold in comparison with controls, and in two patients, RP was provoked. None of the patients had an increased systolic pressure gradient from arm to finger when compared with a control group. Thus, an exaggerated cold response was found to be a prolonged vasospastic side effect not only in patients with RP, but also in patients without finger symptoms.