Sildenafil May Improve Daily Activities In COPD

Main Category: COPD
Article Date: 29 Oct 2006 - 15:00 PDT

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Patients who suffer from COPD may benefit from agents, such as sildenafil, that cause vasodilation, according to researchers from the Netherlands. The new study investigated the acute effects of sildenafil on patients with COPD both at rest and during exercise. The response was also tested on patients with COPD both with and without pulmonary hypertension (PH), which is a common complication of COPD. A total of 12 patients underwent heart catheterization, and both the mean pulmonary artery pressure and cardiac output were assessed. Three-minute cycling measurements were taken at baseline and then again 45 minutes after oral intake of sildenafil. Half of the patients were found to have PH. Researchers found that in all patients, sildenafil significantly lowered pulmonary arterial pressure during exercise. However, in the group without PH, pressure was reduced in both exercise and while at rest.

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Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
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CHEST 2006 abstract briefs

Contact: Jennifer Stawarz
American College of Chest Physicians