Sildenafil May Help In Complication After Pulmonary Embolism

Main Category: Respiratory / Asthma
Article Date: 26 Oct 2007 - 12:00 PDT

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About 4% of patients with persistent symptoms after pulmonary embolism develop hypertension in the pulmonary circulation, also called pulmonary hypertension. This is a serious complication leading to disabling symptoms, impaired exercise capacity and increased mortality if left untreated. Some patients might be cured by surgery, but in those not eligible for surgery medical therapy is warranted but not thus far established.

Sildenafil is a medication licensed in the therapy of different diseases of the pulmonary vasculature. Frank Reichenberger (University of Giessen Lung Centre, Germany) and his Austrian and German colleagues used sildenafil over a 12-month period to treat 104 patients who were suffering from pulmonary hypertension after pulmonary embolism that was not eligible for surgery.

They found a significant improvement in symptoms and exercise capacity after three months and a sustained response over 12 months of therapy. There were no major side-effects, but about 23% of patients experienced heartburn and 12% lower back pain. None of the patients died during this period. The authors conclude that sildenafil is a safe and effective treatment for pulmonary hypertension after pulmonary embolism.

European Respiratory Journal