Treatment of reflex sympathetic dystrophy with regional intravenous reserpine

The 2 patients described had excellent responses to intravenous reserpine and demonstrated that such technique is safe. The absence of cardiovascular changes as compared to the intra-arterial injection of reserpine can be explained by possible fixation of reserpine to the tissues by the time the torniquet is released. Nevertheless, the authors recommend monitoring of blood pressure and electrocardiogram with resuscitation equipment available when performing this procedure. Although the benefit from intra-arterial reserpine is usually short-lived, both patients show that the effect can be long lasting.