title: Ketanserin: an effective treatment regimen for digital ischaemia in systemic sclerosis.
abstract: We have studied the therapeutic effects of ketanserin, a specific serotonin antagonist, on digital ischaemia in 11 patients with the CREST syndrome of systemic sclerosis. Ketanserin was administered as a bolus of 10 mg intravenously, followed by an infusion over 72 h and then oral therapy. Skin blood flow as measured by thermography, bolometry, ultrasound Doppler pulses and laser light scattering, showed significant improvement. There was also marked clinical improvement with a reduction in the pain and healing of digital ulceration. These improvements were maintained on oral therapy. In 7 patients detailed studies were performed comparing oral and intravenous ketanserin therapy. When ketanserin was administered as a bolus 10 mg intravenous dose, followed by an infusion at 2 mg/h, steady state was reached by 12 h. Following oral treatment (40 mg tds) therapeutic blood levels were achieved.
authors.affiliation: University of Manchester Rheumatic Diseases Centre, England.
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Klimiuk
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Kay
authors.forename: W S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gush
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gould
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Jayson
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007511:Ischemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007650:Ketanserin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic
chemical_list: C039722:ketanserinol; D007650:Ketanserin