Abstract

The magnitude of temperature and pulse amplitude increases after complete sympathetic blockade was examined in 16 patients; seven of the 16 patients had reflex sympathetic dystrophy. The abolition of the sympathogalvanic response and of the patients' ability to sweat signified complete sympathetic interruption. The range of temperature increase was 0.3-10.5°C. The magnitude of increase depended on the baseline values; greater increases were found in the patients with low preblock temperatures. In patients with high temperatures before the block, the increase was minimal. The same relationship was noted with respect to the pulse amplitude. It is, therefore, not possible to use a single, absolute value for temperature or pulse amplitude change as a sign of complete sympathetic blockade.