Successful treatment of systemic-sclerosis-related digital ulcers with a selective endothelin type A receptor antagonist (sitaxentan).
Digital ulcers represent a major vascular complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and can be difficult to treat with the common vasodilators. Herein, we report on a 39-year-old patient with recalcitrant SSc-related digital ulcers treated successfully with sitaxentan (100 mg q.d.), a selective endothelin type A receptor antagonist. During the 6 months of treatment, we noticed a remarkable decrease in pain, a nearly complete healing of the preexistent ulcers and no development of new ulcers. No side effects were noted.
Gholam
P
P
Department of Dermatology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. patrick.gholam@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Sehr
T
T
Enk
A
A
Hartmann
M
M
D000328:Adult; D017311:Amlodipine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018450:Disease Progression; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D065130:Endothelin A Receptor Antagonists; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D044022:Receptor, Endothelin A / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D065130:Endothelin A Receptor Antagonists; D044022:Receptor, Endothelin A; D017311:Amlodipine; D008727:Methotrexate