Effect of Amezinium Metilsulfate on Orthostatic Hypotension and Physical Fitness in Cervical Cord Injuries.

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of amezinium metilsulfate (amezinium) on orthostatic hypotension and physical fitness in cervical cord injuries. Eight men with clinically complete tetraplegia (mean age of 21.8 years, mean period after injury of 3.5 years) were administrated amezinium (10mg/day) orally every day for two months. Head up tilt test, measurement of CVR-R, exercise testing using respiratory gas analysis with arm ergometer, and 12-minute performance test were performed before and at two months after administration. The average minimum level of systolic blood pressure (SBP) with head up tilting rose significantly from 57.4mmHg to 79.0mmHg. On the other hand SBP at rest, which usually shows maximum levels during this test, remained stable. Therefore, decrease in SBP with tilting was reduced after administration. The results of measurement of CVR-R showed increase in 3 patients, decrease in 2 patients, and no change in 3 patients. Mean %peak VO2 increased significantly from 37.5% to 42.0%, and mean peak HR rose significantly from 55.4% to 66.2% in exercise testing. The mean distance was prolonged significantly from 714.1m to 854.3m in the 12-minute test. These results indicate that amezinium has a good effect on the improvement of orthostatic hypotension and physical fitness in cervical cord injuries.