Effects of regular physical training in a supervised class and additional intravenous prostaglandin E1 and naftidrofuryl infusion therapy in patients with intermittent claudication--a controlled study.
The aim of this study was to investigate if PGE1 i.v.-therapy after active physical training further increases the walking distance in PAOD stage IIb according to Fontaine. 48 outpatients with intermittent claudication underwent a standardized active walking training of about 6 months twice weekly. Afterwards patients were randomly given once daily an i.v. infusion of 60 micrograms PGE1 (3 ampoules prostavasin) or 600 mg naftidrofuryl. The therapy lasted for 3 weeks with the exception of Saturdays and Sundays. Besides laboratory and doppler parameters, painfree and maximum walking distance (treadmill, 10% incline, 3.5 km/h) were determined.


RESULTS
Under active physical training the patients' walking distance increased significantly to more than double the baseline levels. Further significant increase of the painfree walking distance was seen after a 3 week treatment with PGE1 from 136 to 270 m (99%) as well as with naftidrofuryl from 117 to 230 m (97%). While this difference was not significant there was a significant difference in favour to PGE1 after the follow-up period (p less than 0.01). In the PGE1-group the painfree walking distance showed a further increase (from 270m to 306m) whereas it decreased in the naftidrofuryl-group (from 230m to 210m). At the same time under PGE1 the ankle/arm index increased significantly in comparison to naftidrofuryl (p less than 0.01). Side effects differed significantly in respect of the frequency and severity. In the PGE1-group in 20.8% of the patients side effects occurred, whereas in 91.6% of the patients in the naftidrofuryl-group side effects were observed. In no case therapy had to be discontinued because of side effects.
Diehm
C
C
Kühn
A
A
Strauss
R
R
Hübsch-Müller
C
C
Kübler
W
W
D000368:Aged; D000527:Alprostadil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D005663:Furans / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009257:Nafronyl / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D005663:Furans; D009257:Nafronyl; D000527:Alprostadil