[Iloprost for the treatment of systemic sclerosis].
An imbalance between prostacyclin (PGI2) and thromboxane A2 is observed in patients with scleroderma. Iloprost is a stable analogue of PGI2 with a plasma half-life of 20-30 min. Intravenous iloprost is effective in the treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon related to scleroderma, decreasing the frequency and severity of attacks. It also appears useful for the treatment of digital ulcers. Inhaled iloprost is an effective treatment for NYHA class III pulmonary arterial hypertension, either idiopathic primary or associated with a particular condition, such as scleroderma. Intravenous iloprost improves kidney vasospasm in patients with scleroderma. The possible benefits of sequential intravenous iloprost on the natural course of scleroderma require further investigation.
Centre de référence des maladies auto-immunes et maladies systémiques rares sclérodermie systémique, Service de médecine interne, Hôpital Claude Huriez, CHU, Université de Lille 2, F-59037 Lille Cedex, France. ehachulla@chru-lille.fr
Eric
E
Hachulla
David
D
Launay
Pierre-Yves
PY
Hatron
D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D016285:Iloprost / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011928:Raynaud Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D012079:Renal Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D016285:Iloprost