[Therapy of orthostatic dysregulation with gepefrin. Study with continuous telemetric blood pressure monitoring]

The action of the new pressor agent gepefrine (D form of 3-hydroxyphenyl-2-aminopropan) was evaluated in 16 patients with typical clinical symptoms of orthostatic adjustment disorders. The blood pressure measured in the brachial artery (percutaneous puncture and catheterisation according to the Seldinger technique) and the electrocardiogram were transmitted by telemetry and continuously documented under standard conditions at rest, on standing and during a step test. One hour after oral administration of 30 mg or 45 mg gepefrine the blood pressure increased significantly at rest and more markedly on standing and during the step test. Gepefrine led to a reduction in pathological orthostatic regulation during the early phase as well as to the prevention of subjective and objective signs of orthostatic adjustment disorder during the late phase. Patients with insufficient rise in blood pressure during the step test (80 watts) showed after gepefrine a distinct tendency towards normalisation and the regression of subjective states of exhaustion. Gepefrine caused on average no substantive alternations in heart rate during all phases of the investigation. Complications or side-effects due to the method or the medicament were not observed.