The treatment of intraarterial pentazocine injection injuries with intraarterial reserpine.

From 1979 to 1983, 14 patients were treated at the University of Maryland Hospital for injuries sustained as a result of the injection of crushed pentazocine tablets partially dissolved in water into the arterial system of the upper extremity. Eight patients received intraarterial reserpine within 15 hours of the injury and had no functional or tissue loss. Six patients either received no treatment or were given the reserpine more than 15 hours after the injury; they sustained notable functional or tissue loss. The results of this review would indicate that there may be a role for the use of intraarterial reserpine in the treatment of impending tissue loss from intraarterial drug injections.