Intra-arterial administration of reserpine. Its use in patients with Raynaud's disease or Raynaud's phenomenon

Eighteen patients with either Raynaud's disease or Raynaud's phenomenon were given reserpine intra-arterially (1 mg) into one or both brachial arteries. Responses were graded 0 to 3+. Of the 12 patients with Raynaud's phenomenon, three showed a 3+ response, four showed a 2+ response, one showed a 1+ response, and four showed no response. Of the six patients with primary Raynaud's disease, three showed a 3+ response, none showed a 2+ response, one showed a 1+ response, and two showed no response. The average duration of clinical effectiveness was approximately seven months and side effects were minimal. Intraarterial administration of reserpine for Raynaud's disease and Raynaud's phenomenon deserves further clinical evaluation.