[Fast and efficient healing of scleroderma-associated acral ulcers with sildenafil].
Acral ulcers in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) are often recalcitrant to therapy. Sildenafil, an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase-5, dilates small arteries by increasing endothelial cGMP. Oral administration of sildenafil to a 35-year-old white male patient suffering from incapacitating PSS with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension and acral ulcers induced a clinically significant reduction in dyspnea and increase in walking distance within one week as well as complete and long-lasting healing of all ulcers within five weeks. This case demonstrates the efficacy of sildenafil in the treatment of scleroderma-associated refractory acral ulcers.
Friedrichson
E
E
Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie, Medizinische Fakultät der Technischen Universität Dresden, Dresden.
Rehberger
P
P
Fuhrmann
J T
JT
Walz
F
F
Meurer
M
M
Pfeiffer
C
C
D000328:Adult; D005121:Extremities; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011687:Purines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate