Spontaneous coronary artery dissection in association with cabergoline therapy

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare but increasingly recognised cause of acute coronary syndrome. While numerous risk factors are associated with SCAD, one potential cause is coronary artery vasospasm. The use of cabergoline—an ergot derivative and dopamine agonist that may induce vasospasm—has been associated with SCAD in one other case report worldwide. Here, we describe SCAD in a 37-year-old woman on long-term cabergoline therapy with no other cardiac risk factors. Cabergoline-induced SCAD should be considered in patients presenting with an acute coronary syndrome who are treated with this medication.

Safety of Nicergoline as an Agent for Management of Cognitive Function Disorders

Nicergoline is a semisynthetic ergot derivative and has a selective alpha-1A adrenergic receptor blocking property and also other additional mechanisms of actions, both in the brain and in the periphery. It is in clinical use for over three decades in over fifty countries for conditions such as cerebral infarction, acute and chronic peripheral circulation disorders, vascular dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease and has been found to be beneficial in a variety of other conditions. However, concerns about its safety have been raised, especially after the European medicines agency’s (EMEA’s) restriction in the use of all ergot derivatives including nicergoline. But, most of the available literature and data suggest that the adverse events with nicergoline are mild and transient. Further, none of the available treatment options for cognitive disorders afford definitive resolution of symptoms. In this backdrop, we discuss the pharmacology of nicergoline with special emphasis on the safety of this compound, especially when used in patients suffering from cognitive function disorders.