ISSN:
1432-1041
Keywords:
diabetes mellitus
;
nifedipine
;
hypertension
;
oedema
;
vasodilator
;
blood flow
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary We studied the incidence of oedema 2 weeks following initation of nifedipine therapy for hypertension in a group of 10 diabetic subjects, and also measured skin blood flow (SBF) with a laser Doppler flowmeter, before and after lowering the foot. SBF with the foot horizontal increased after nifedipine from 0.31V (arbitrary units of flow) to 0.51V (NS). The postural fall in blood flow in dependency was significantly attenuated by nifedipine from 64.4 to 24.0%. Five patients developed ankle oedema. Results were similar in a small group of non-diabetic subjects starting nifedipine. The attenuation of reflex postural vasoconstriction is therefore likely to contribute to development of the oedema associated with starting nifedipine therapy, which should be monitored carefully in diabetic patients.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00558495
