[Hypersensitivity of the beta-adrenergic receptors in patients considered as spasmophilic. Results of two stimulation trials with isoprenaline in 105 patients (author's transl)].

Two stimulation trials with isoprenaline were performed in two groups of 50 and 55 patients considered as spasmophilic. The first trial was to check the sensitivity of the beta 1 type cardiac receptors : the average isoprenaline hydrochloride dose raising by 50 p. 100 the rest cardiac rate was equal to 0.147 +/- 0.09 micrograms/kg for 0.23 +/- 0.09 micrograms/kg in the control group. A second trial allowed to stabilize the cardiac rate between + 40 and + 50 p. 100 of its initial value : the symptoms, reappearing during stimulation, under the influence of isoprenaline, were studied. In 43 out of the 50 investigated patients the usual symptoms reappeared, particularly the acrocontractural attacks which were observed then in 46 p. 100 of cases, and sometimes an acute tetanic attack with opisthotonus. All these signs which are characteristic of "the spasmophilic state" seem to relate to vegetative regulation in which the beta-adrenergic component would show the most important : hypersensitivity of the beta receptors might be the common physiological base.