title: Efficacy of a new prostaglandin E1 regimen in outpatients with severe intermittent claudication: results of a multicenter placebo-controlled double-blind trial.
abstract: For the first time efficacy and safety of a new prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) regimen in the treatment of intermittent claudication were evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter clinical trial. The study involved 213 outpatients with a maximum walking distance of 50 to 200 m measured on the treadmill (3 km/hr, 12% grade). After a 2-week run-in phase they received a 2-hour intravenous infusion of 60 micrograms PGE1 or placebo 5 days a week for 4 weeks. It was followed by a 4-week interval treatment with the same medication administered only twice a week. Patients were monitored for 3 months when they received no study medication. In the PGE1 group the intention-to-treat analysis (n = 208) revealed an increase in walking distance after 4 weeks of 75% (placebo, 43%). At the end of the interval treatment the walking distance had improved to 101% (placebo, 60%). The results remained virtually constant during follow-up (PGE1, 104%, placebo, 63%). Between-group comparisons showed significant differences in favor of PGE1 for all three time points of measurement (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, and p < 0.05). PGE1 was well tolerated; the rate of adverse reactions related to the treatment was 12.8% (placebo, 7.7%). In summary, these results show that the new PGE1 regimen is effective and safe in the treatment of outpatients with intermittent claudication.
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Clinic, Department of Angiology, Karlsbad/Karlsruhe, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Diehm
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Balzer
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bisler
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bulling
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Camci
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Creutzig
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Gruss
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Horsch
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Odemar
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Piehler
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Rogatti
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Scheffler
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Spengel
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Treese
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Turowski
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Waldhausen
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Weiss
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000527:Alprostadil / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016138:Walking
chemical_list: D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000527:Alprostadil