ULCERATION OF THE SKIN FOLLOWING INTRAVENOUS USE OF ARTERENOL

Tissue necrosis and ulceration of the skin have previously been reported as complications following the use of arterenol (3, 4-dihydroxyphenylaminoethanol). 1 Recently, we had occasion to observe a patient in whom similar lesions developed after the intravenous administration of this pressor amine into the right ankle. The drug was given, in this instance, to maintain blood pressure after an intestinal resection for gangrene of the bowel secondary to mesenteric vascular occlusion. REPORT OF A CASE A 48-year-old white married man had had 13 previous admissions to the Rhode Island Hospital. In February, 1951, he was admitted because of severe intermittent claudication. A left lumbar sympathectomy was done. At operation no pulsations were noted below the bifurcation of the aorta, and the diagnosis of osteoporosis due to trauma was made. The following month the patient was admitted because of chest pain. An electrocardiogram gave evidence of acute coronary insufficiency. In March,