ABSTRACT
Blackfoot disease (BFD) is an endemic peripheral vascular disease in patients exposed to arseniccontaining well water in Taiwan (Ch’i & Blackwell 1968). It simulated atherosclerosis clinically and resulted in acrogangrene and autoamputation. Sympathetic overactivity occurred in several peripheral vascular diseases, including Raynaud’s disease, and hypertension. In BFD, the development of phantom pain after amputation reflects the participation of autonomic dysregulation and pain. Further, we have shown alpha-adrenergic sympathetic response is accentuated in skin microcirculation of patients with BFD (Lee et al. 2007). To reduce the sympathetic tone, surgical sympathectomy and chemical stellate ganglion block have been used to treat several peripheral vascular diseases with sympathetic over activity such as Burger’s disease and sympathetic dystrophy. However, those invasive methods required delicate professional skills.
