Effects of iloprost on blood rheology and tissue perfusion in patients with intermittent claudication: Results of a double-blind placebo-controlled study

Abstract

The eects of an infusion of a single dose of Iloprost (from 0.5 up to a maximum of 2 ng/kg/min for six hours) in patients with stage II peripheral vascular disease (PVD) on blood rheology and tissue perfusion were determined in a double-blind placebo-controlled study using repeated treadmill exercise test to stress leg circulation. Blood viscosity (BV) at low shear, soluble Pselectin levels (expression of platelet activation), unfractioned leukocyte and erythrocyte ®lterability rates (using a constant-¯ow positive-pressure system), plasma ®brinogen concentration, haematocrit, leukocyte and platelet counts were measured in two matched groups of 8 PVD patients before and after treatment. Transcutaneous oxygen pressure 2 (TcPO 2 ) during controlled ischaemia was also measured. Controlled peripheral ischaemia generated an impaired haemorheological pro®le. Iloprost reduced the impairments in BV and the ®lterability rates of unfractioned leukocytes, inhibited platelet activation and improved erythrocyte deformability. These improvements were associated with signi®cant shortening of the TcPO 2 half recovery time, indicating that ischaemic damage had been contained.

The Influence of Topical Vasodilator-Induced Pharmacologic Delay on Cutaneous Flap Viability and Vascular Remodeling

“…The dose-response relationship in these topically administered agents was not investigated. Although iloprost has also been shown to have beneficial rheologic and cytoprotective actions when administered intravascularly, 38,39 our study focused solely on the vasodilatory properties and did not assess how these rheologic and cytoprotective actions contributed to improved flap perfusion. Our experimental design allowed analysis of necrosis only up to postoperative day 7 and did not show long-term wound healing results.…”

Effect of iloprost on erythrocyte deformability in rat’s lower extremity undergoing an ischemia reperfusion injury

“…Furthermore, in a previous study, it was shown that microvascular perfusion was improved with doses of 0.5-2 ng/kg/min (12).…”