Treatment of Digital Vasospastic Disease with the Calcium-entry Blocker Nifedipine

Eight patients with vasospastic disease of the digital arteries were treated with the calcium-entry blocker nifedipine (capsules), 10 mg t.i.d. and 20 mg t.i.d. The degree of cold-induced digital vasospasm after local cooling of the finger to 15 and 10 degrees C, measured by strain-gauge technique, was significantly decreased by nifedipine. The degree of reduction was dose-dependent. All patients improved symptomatically. The side-effects of the drug were minor but became more prominent when the dose was increased. We conclude that nifedipine is a useful agent in the treatment of digital vasospastic disease.