[Doppler Ultrasound Studies of the Extracranial Cerebral Vessels in Migraine Patients After Ergotamine Tartrate Administration]

Doppler ultrasound investigations were done in 20 patients with migraine during the symptom-free interval after oral administration of 2 mg and 6 mg ergotamine tartrate. The observed changes of end-diastolic flow velocity as a measure of peripheral total resistance permit simultaneous assessment of the vasoconstrictor effect of ergotamine in the perfusion area of the internal and external carotid arteries. A dosage of 2 mg led to an exclusive increase of resistance in the external carotid artery area without significant changes in the internal carotid area. A maximal therapeutic dosage of 6 mg ergotamine tartrate did not lead to a significant increase of the vasoconstrictor effect in the external carotid circulation. In addition, a barely registrable increase of resistance in the internal carotid area could now be observed.