title: Preliminary experience with defibrotide in severe lower limb ischaemia.
abstract: Eight patients with severe lower limb ischaemia, aged 65-80, received defibrotide intravenously for periods from 5 to 21 days (mean 13 days). All patients had intractable rest pain. Five had ischaemic ulcers and 3 had minor gangrene. Five had previous arterial surgery and 6 lumbar sympathetic ganglion injections. Pretreatment ankle pressure indices ranged from 0 to 0.5 (mean 0.19). Rest pain, sleep disturbance and analgesic requirement were assessed on a nominal scale. Rest pain improved in 4 and sleeping pattern in 2 patients. One patient showed a diminution in analgesic requirement. Pressure indices improved in 5 patients. Amputation was performed in 4 patients. Adverse reactions included vomiting and diarrhoea (2), thrombophlebitis at infusion site (3) and generalized skin reaction (1). All patients had 'end-stage' peripheral vascular disease but some showed symptomatic benefit. Further evaluation of defibrotide is indicated.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D059408:Pain Management; D011089:Polydeoxyribonucleotides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D011089:Polydeoxyribonucleotides; C036901:defibrotide