Cardiovascular effects of lisuride continuous intravenous infusion in fluctuating Parkinson's disease

The cardiovascular effects of a continuous intravenous infusion of lisuride plus oral domperidone were studied in 16 fluctuating parkinsonian patients as compared to their usual oral therapy with levodopa plus carbidopa. The study was performed using a 24-h ambulatory recording and an automatic noninvasive device for blood pressure monitoring. During lisuride infusion, a significant increase of systolic blood pressure was observed; however, in three patients, a decrease of systolic-diastolic blood pressure occurred; furthermore, a mild increase of atrial arrhythmias and, in two patients, a short run of atrial fibrillation were noted. Asymptomatic orthostatic hypotension, observed in seven patients during levodopa therapy, disappeared during lisuride infusion. Paradoxical hypertensive effects and disappearance of orthostatic hypotension observed in our patients seem related to concurrent administration of domperidone.