CARDIOVASCULAR MANIFESTATIONS OF ERGOTISM

BACKGROUND: Ergotism is a chronic condition resulting from excessive o r misdirected use of ergot medicines or eating ergotized grain contain ing alcaloids, CASE REPORT: A 32-year old woman taking a treatment, ba sed on rye grain derivatives had signs of ergotism. She developed seve re bilateral ischemia of the lower limbs and probable angina pectoris. Outcome was favorable with vasodilator therapy and withdrawal of the rye-grain derivatives, DISCUSSION: Cardiovascular manifestations of er gotism have been reported previously in the literature, Our case under scores the potential gravity of ergotism, The diagnosis should be ente rtained in patients who develop severe arterial ischemia and history t aking should search for drug-induced intoxication. Resting angina is a lso highly suggestive. (C) 1998, Masson, Paris.