Management of severe frostbite with iloprost, alteplase and heparin: a Yukon case series.

BACKGROUND: We identified the need to modernize frostbite management in our northern centre and implemented a treatment protocol in 2015. Our aim was to describe the clinical course of patients presenting to the hospital since the implementation of the protocol. METHODS: This was a retrospective case series from Whitehorse General Hospital, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada. We reviewed the charts of patients who presented to the hospital with grade 2-4 frostbite and were treated as per our protocol between Feb. 9, 2015, and Feb. 8, 2020. Patients with grade 2-4 frostbite received iloprost; in addition, those with grade 4 frostbite received alteplase and heparin. We determined the number of digits affected and salvaged, and the time from presentation to the emergency department to treatment initiation. We also examined patients' demographic characteristics, predisposing events, frostbite severity and adverse drug reactions. RESULTS: In 22 patients treated for grade 2-4 frostbite, 142 digits were affected: 59 with grade 2 frostbite, 25 with grade 3 frostbite and 58 with grade 4 frostbite; of the 142, 113 (79.6%) were salvaged. All 29 digits amputated had grade 4 frostbite. The mean time from presentation to iloprost initiation was reduced from 32.9 hours in 2015 to 3.0 hours in 2020. Sports (10 cases [45%]) and alcohol use (6 [27%]) were the most common precipitating events, with alcohol use tending to result in more severe injury (grade 4 in 5 of 6 cases). Adverse reactions with iloprost (e.g., headache) were common but mild. Adverse reactions with alteplase (e.g., bleeding) were less common but of greater clinical significance. INTERPRETATION: Over the study period, our protocol contributed to improvement in frostbite care at our institution, resulting in a digit salvage rate comparable to other published results. Our 5-year experience shows that advanced medical care of frostbite can be achieved, even at a rural centre.

Adicionado a sildenafilo más bosentán, comparado con sildenafilo más bosentán, en pacientes adultos con hipertensión arterial pulmonar, clase funcional OMS II, III Y IV, con fracaso a sildenafilo más bosentán / Added to sildenafil plus bosentan, compared with sildenafil plus bosentan, in adult patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, WHO functional class II, III, and IV, with failure to sildenafil plus bosentan

INTRODUCCIÓN: El presente dictamen expone la evaluación de la eficacia y seguridad de selexipag o iloprost en adición a sildenafilo más bosentán, comparado con el esquema sildenafilo más bosentán, en pacientes adultos con hipertensión arterial pulmonar clase funcional de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) II, III y IV, con fracaso a la administración conjunta de sildenafilo más bosentán. La hipertensión arterial pulmonar (HAP) es una enfermedad rara caracterizada por la presencia de hipertensión pulmonar precapilar en ausencia de otras causas. En el Perú, no se conoce la prevalencia de HAP. En EsSalud se dispone de sildenafilo para el tratamiento de pacientes con HAP y bosentán para el tratamiento de pacientes sin un adecuado control de la enfermedad con sildenafilo. Asimismo, se dispone de iloprost inhalatorio para el tratamiento de pacientes con HAP durante el perioperatorio de operación cardíaca y en gestantes. No obstante, existen pacientes que no logran un control adecuado de la HAP, a pesar de recibir de forma concomitante sildenafilo más bosentán. Por ello, los médicos especialistas señalan que el control de la HAP, podría lograrse con la adición de un tercer fármaco a la combinación de sildenafilo más bosentán. METODOLOGÍA: Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica de literatura científica con el objetivo de identificar evidencia sobre la eficacia y seguridad de selexipag o iloprost adicionado a sildenafilo más bosentán, comparado con sildenafilo más bosentán, en pacientes adultos con hipertensión arterial pulmonar clase funcional OMS II, III y IV, con fracaso a sildenafilo más bosentán. Para identificar documentos de interés para la presente evaluación, se buscó evidencia disponible en las siguientes bases de datos bibliográficas: PubMed, The Cochrane Library y LILACS. Además, se realizó una búsqueda en sitios web pertenecientes a grupos que realizan evaluaciones de tecnologías sanitarias y guías de práctica clínica, incluyendo The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH), Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC), The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), Haute Authorité de Santé (HAS), Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER), el portal BRISA (Base Regional de Informes de Evaluación de Tecnologías en Salud de las Américas), y sitios web de organizaciones internacionales en cardiología como European Respiratory Society (ERS) y European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Se llevó a cabo una búsqueda manual en el portal ClinicalTrials.gov del National Institutes of Health (https://clinicaltrials.gov/) e International Clinical Trials Registry Platform de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (http://apps.who.int/trialsearch/) para la identificación de estudios que emplearan las tecnologías de interés. Finalmente, se revisaron protocolos para RS que pudieran contemplar el uso de la tecnología de interés en el portal PROSPERO del Centre for Reviews and Dissemination de la University of York (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/) y en el Systematic Review Register del Joanna Briggs Institute Centre (https://joannabriggs.org/resources/systematic_review_register). RESULTADOS: Se presenta la evidencia incluida siguiendo lo indicado en los criterios de elegibilidad. CONCLUSIONES: En el presente documento, se evaluó la mejor evidencia científica disponible hasta la actualidad sobre la eficacia y seguridad de selexipag o iloprost adicionado a sildenafilo más bosentán, comparado con sildenafilo más bosentán, en pacientes adultos con HAP clase funcional OMS II, III y IV con fracaso a sildenafilo más bosentán. Se identificaron dos GPC elaboradas por la ERS/ESC y CHEST que emitieron recomendaciones para el tratamiento de pacientes con HAP y respuesta no favorable a dos clases de fármacos específicos para la HAP, cinco ETS elaboradas por SMC, CADTH, IQWiG, COPTES y CONITEC que evaluaron el uso de selexipag, un ECA que evaluó selexipag y dos ECA que evaluaron iloprost en pacientes con HAP. No se identificaron ETS que evalúen iloprost ni ECA que evalúen la eficacia y seguridad de selexipag o iloprost adicionado a sildenafilo más bosentán pacientes adultos con HAP clase funcional OMS II, III y IV con fracaso a sildenafilo más bosentán. Las dos GPC (ERS/ESC y CHEST) recomiendan agregar una tercera clase de fármaco al tratamiento de pacientes con HAP y respuesta no favorable a dos clases de fármacos específicos para la HAP. La ERS/ESC recomienda agregar selexipag al esquema de sildenafilo más bosentán; mientras que CHEST no establece una recomendación sobre el empleo de selexipag o iloprost. De las cinco ETS que evaluaron selexipag, SMC y CADTH recomendaron el empleo de selexipag en pacientes con HAP; siempre que estos accedan a programas que reduzcan el costo de selexipag para que su uso sea costo-efectivo. Las tres ETS restantes no recomiendan el empleo de selexipag en pacientes con HAP: IQWiG porque no se dispone de datos para evaluar el beneficio de selexipag a largo plazo, COPTES porque selexipag ofrece escaso beneficio clínico y un impacto negativo desde las perspectivas presupuestarias, de equidad y salud pública y CONITEC porque, comparado con placebo, selexipag no reduce la mortalidad, pero si presenta más eventos adversos. El ECA GRIPHON evaluó selexipag en pacientes con HAP con o sin tratamiento previo y sin estar definido el fracaso a la terapia con sildenafilo más bosentán. Esta población es más amplia que la población de interés del presente dictamen y además no reportó comparó los esquemas selexipag más sildenafilo más bosentán versus sildenafilo más bosentán. Por lo tanto, estos resultados no responden directamente a la pregunta PICO del presente dictamen. En el ECA GRIPHON, aunque selexipag (comparado con placebo) redujo el riesgo del desenlace compuesto: muerte por cualquier causa y complicaciones por HAP en la población total del estudio y en el subgrupo de pacientes que ingresaron al estudio con un esquema terapéutico de ARE más iFDE5, el grupo selexipag presentó mayor número de muertes al final del periodo de tratamiento (diferencia no estadísticamente significativa). Además, el grupo de selexipag mostró mayor descontinuación por eventos adversos. Los ECA de McLaughlin et al., y Hoeper et al. evaluaron la adición de iloprost a un esquema de base de bosentán. Por lo tanto, los resultados de estos ECA tampoco responden directamente a la pregunta PICO del presente dictamen. El ECA de McLaughlin et al. encontró que, para la semana 12, el incremento promedio de la 6MWD fue de 30 m con iloprost y 4 m con placebo. Además, hubo mejora en una clase funcional NYHA en el 34 % de los pacientes con iloprost; frente al 6 % de los pacientes con placebo. Los resultados de este estudio fase II deben ser confirmados con un ECA fase III. El ECA de Hoeper et al. fue suspendido por futilidad porque los resultados del análisis interino hacían poco probable el alcanzar el desenlace primario propuesto. Dentro del Petitorio de EsSalud existe vacío terapéutico frente a un paciente con HAP clase funcional OMS II, III y IV en fracaso a la terapia con sildenafilo más bosentán. Agregar un fármaco (con distinto mecanismo de acción) al esquema de sildenafilo más bosentán es una alternativa terapéutica para esta población; tal como recomiendan las GPC para los pacientes con HAP y cuyo esquema doble no produce beneficio. Esta opinión es compartida por el médico especialista de la institución, quien señala que el uso de un fármaco adicionado al esquema de sildenafilo más bosentán puede ser considerado una alternativa terapéutica para esta población, siendo además que en EsSalud se tiene experiencia con el uso de iloprost. Por lo expuesto, el Instituto de Evaluación de Tecnologías en Salud e Investigación ­ IETSI no aprueba el uso de selexipag más sildenafilo más bosentán en pacientes adultos con hipertensión arterial pulmonar clase funcional OMS II, III y IV, con fracaso a sildenafilo más bosentán y aprueba el uso de iloprost en pacientes adultos con HAP clase funcional OMS II, III y IV, con fracaso a sildenafilo más bosentán.

Acute effect of inhaled iloprost on exercise dynamic hyperinflation in COPD patients: A randomized crossover study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: We tested whether the prostacyclin analog inhaled iloprost modulates dead space, dynamic hyperinflation (DH), and systemic inflammation/oxidative stress during maximal exercise in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who were not selected based on pulmonary hypertension (PH). METHODS: Twenty-four COPD patients with moderate-severe obstruction (age 59 ± 7 years, FEV1 53 ± 13% predicted) participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial. Each subject received a single nebulized dose of 5.0 µg iloprost or placebo on non-consecutive days followed by maximal cardiopulmonary exercise tests. The primary outcome was DH quantified by end-expiratory lung volume/total lung capacity ratio (EELV/TLC) at metabolic isotime. RESULTS: Inhaled iloprost was well-tolerated and reduced submaximal alveolar dead-space fraction but did not significantly reduce DH (0.70 ± 0.09 vs 0.69 ± 0.07 following placebo and iloprost, respectively, p = 0.38). Maximal exercise time (9.1 ± 2.3 vs 9.3 ± 2.2 min, p = 0.31) and peak oxygen uptake (17.4 ± 6.3 vs 17.9 ± 6.9 mL/kg/min, p = 0.30) were not significantly different following placebo versus iloprost. CONCLUSIONS: A single dose of inhaled iloprost was safe and reduced alveolar dead space fraction; however, it was not efficacious in modulating DH or improving exercise capacity in COPD patients who were not selected for the presence of PH.

Intravenous prostacyclin-analogue therapy in pulmonary arterial hypertension - A review of the past, present and future.

Therapy with intravenous prostacyclin analogues in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has been established for decades and is an integral component of the current guidelines for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension. Initially, these drugs were infused by external pump systems via tunnelled right atrial catheters with the need for cooling and frequent exchange of drug reservoirs. Associated complications included, among others, catheter-related infections. More recently, fully implantable pump systems have been developed with drug reservoirs that are filled transcutaneously, allowing intervals between refills of several weeks. This technique results in a low rate of infections. Epoprostenol, iloprost and treprostinil have all been used intravenously in PAH, but titration, dosing and dose escalation in long-term therapy are not standardized. Intravenous prostacyclin analogues are still under-used, despite available data suggesting that early and broad application of these therapies as part of risk-oriented, guideline-directed combination therapy for patients with PAH may lead to a survival benefit. This review provides a detailed overview of the drugs, infusion systems and dosing strategies used for intravenous therapy in patients with PAH.

Prostanoids in scleroderma microangiopathy: clinical and pharmacoeconomic comparison between two intravenous regimens.

Objectives: Intravenous iloprost (ILO) has widely demonstrated its effectiveness and safety in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. Unfortunately, there is no clear consent about dosage, duration, frequency, and infusion modality. The aim of this study was to compare two different therapeutic schemes in the same cohort of consecutive SSc subjects, evaluating differences in terms of effectiveness [digital ulcer (DU) outcome], safety, and direct healthcare costs.Method: This was a retrospective observational study of 47 patients classified with SSc treated with intravenous ILO for severe Raynaud's phenomenon and/or DUs. Two regimens were compared: a continuous inpatient scheme and a daily outpatient scheme. Demographics and clinical data, concomitant therapies, adverse events, and data on resource use and costs were collected.Results: The number of DUs rose slightly with the switch from the continuous to the daily scheme (0.61 ± 1.2 vs 1.1 ± 1.7). Moreover, in the daily scheme there was an increase in the number of therapeutic cycles (2.4 ± 0.7 vs 4.71 ± 1.4, p < 0.001) and an increase in patients treated with other vasoactive drugs. There was a reduction in ILO tolerability and more than half of the patients suspended the treatment. Five patients required hospitalization for severe and refractory DUs in the daily scheme. Moreover, the costs of the two treatments were comparable [median 7174 (range 2748-18 524) EUR vs 6284 (3232-22 706) EUR, p = 0.712].Conclusion: Treatment with a daily scheme of ILO is characterized by worse tolerability and a higher dropout rate compared to a low-flow regimen, with similar costs. We suggest that a low-flow continuous therapeutic scheme is preferable in SSc patients.

Intensive care management of right ventricular failure and pulmonary hypertension crises.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH), an often unrelenting disease that carries with it significant morbidity and mortality, affects not only the pulmonary vasculature but, in turn, the right ventricle as well. The survival of patients with PH is closely related to the right ventricular function. Therefore, having an understanding of how to manage right ventricular failure (RVF) and acute pulmonary hypertensive crises is imperative for clinicians who encounter these patients. This review addresses the management of these patients in detail, addressing: (a) the pathophysiology of RVF, (b) intensive care monitoring of these patients in the intensive care unit, (c) imaging of the right ventricle, (d) intubation and mechanical ventilation, (e) inotrope and vasopressor selection, (f) pulmonary vasodilator use, (g) interventional and surgical procedures for the acutely failing right ventricle, and (h) mechanical support for RVF.

Opportunities and challenges of pharmacotherapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension in children.

Pediatric pulmonary hypertension (PAH) is a rare disease that carries a poor prognosis if left untreated. Although there are published guidelines for the treatment of children with pulmonary hypertension, due to the limited number of robust pediatric clinical trials, recommendations are often based on limited data or clinical experience. Furthermore, many practical aspects of care, particularly for the pediatric patient, are learned through experience and best navigated with a multidisciplinary team. While newer PAH therapies have been approved for adults, there is still limited but expanding experience in pediatrics. This new information will help improve the targets of goal-oriented therapy. Lastly, this review highlights practical aspects in the use of the different therapies available for the treatment of pediatric pulmonary hypertension.

Interventions for frostbite injuries.

BACKGROUND: Frostbite is a thermal injury caused when tissue is exposed to sub-zero temperatures (in degrees Celsius) long enough for ice crystals to form in the affected tissue. Depending on the degree of tissue damage, thrombosis, ischaemia, necrosis (tissue death), gangrene and ultimately amputation may occur. Several interventions for frostbite injuries have been proposed, such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, sympathectomy (nerve block), thrombolytic (blood-thinning) therapy and vasodilating agents such as iloprost, reserpine, pentoxifylline and buflomedil, but the benefits and harms of these interventions are unclear. OBJECTIVES: To assess the benefits and harms of the different management options for frostbite injuries. SEARCH METHODS: On 25 February 2020, we searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in the Cochrane Library, Ovid MEDLINE(R), Ovid MEDLINE(R) In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, Ovid MEDLINE(R) Daily and Ovid OLDMEDLINE(R), Embase (OvidSP), ISI Web of Science: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Conference Proceedings Citation Index-Science (CPCI-S), as well as trials registers. Shortly before publication, we searched Clinicaltrials.gov, the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, OpenGrey and GreyLit (9 November 2020) again. We investigated references from relevant articles, and corresponded with a trial author. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared any medical intervention, e.g. pharmacological therapy, topical treatments or rewarming techniques, for frostbite injuries to another treatment, placebo or no treatment. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently extracted data. We used Review Manager 5 for statistical analysis of dichotomous data with risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We used the Cochrane 'Risk of bias' tool to assess bias in the included trial. We assessed incidence of amputations, rates of serious and non-serious adverse events, acute pain, chronic pain, ability to perform activities of daily living, quality of life, withdrawal rate from medical therapy due to adverse events, occupational effects and mortality. We used GRADE to assess the quality of the evidence. MAIN RESULTS: We included one, open-label randomised trial involving 47 participants with severe frostbite injuries. We judged this trial to be at high risk of bias for performance bias, and uncertain risk for attrition bias; all other risk of bias domains we judged as low. All participants underwent rapid rewarming, received 250 mg of aspirin and 400 mg intravascular (IV) buflomedil (since withdrawn from practice), and were then randomised to one of three treatment groups for the following eight days. Group 1 received additional IV buflomedil 400 mg for one hour per day. Group 2 received the prostacyclin, iloprost, 0.5 ng to 2 ng/kg/min IV for six hours per day. Group 3 received IV iloprost 2 ng/kg/min for six hours per day plus fibrinolysis with 100 mg recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) for the first day only. The results suggest that iloprost and iloprost plus rtPA may reduce the rate of amputations in people with severe frostbite compared to buflomedil alone, RR 0.05 (95% CI 0.00 to 0.78; P = 0.03; very low-quality evidence) and RR 0.31 (95% CI 0.10 to 0.94; P = 0.04; very low-quality evidence), respectively. Iloprost may be as effective as iloprost plus rtPA at reducing the amputation rate, RR 0.14 (95% CI 0.01 to 2.56; P = 0.19; very low-quality evidence). There were no reported deaths or withdrawals due to adverse events in any of the groups; we assessed evidence for both outcomes as being of very low quality. Adverse events (including flushing, nausea, palpitations and vomiting) were common, but not reported separately by comparator arm (very low-quality evidence). The included study did not measure the outcomes of acute pain, chronic pain, ability to perform activities of daily living, quality of life or occupational effects. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is a paucity of evidence regarding interventions for frostbite injuries. Very low-quality evidence from a single small trial indicates that iloprost, and iloprost plus rtPA, in combination with buflomedil may reduce the need for amputation in people with severe frostbite compared to buflomedil alone. However, buflomedil has been withdrawn from use. High quality randomised trials are needed to establish firm evidence for the treatment of frostbite injuries.

Post-infectious digital ischemia successfully treated with iloprost in a child / Isquemia digital postinfecciosa infantil tratada con éxito con iloprost

No disponible

The I-MICRO trial, Ilomedin for treatment of septic shock with persistent microperfusion defects: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial-study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Septic shock remains a significant cause of death in critically ill patients. During septic shock, some patients will retain microcirculatory disorders despite optimal hemodynamic support (i.e., fluid resuscitation, vasopressors, inotropes). Alterations in the microcirculation are a key pathophysiological factor of organ dysfunction and death in septic shock patients. Ilomedin is a prostacyclin analog with vasodilatory effect and anti-thrombotic properties (i.e., inhibition of platelet aggregation) preferentially at the microcirculatory level. We hypothesize that early utilization of intravenous Ilomedin in septic shock patients with clinical persistence of microperfusion disorders would improve the recovery of organ dysfunction. METHODS: The I-MICRO trial is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. We plan to recruit 236 adult patients with septic shock and persistent microcirculatory disorders (i.e., skin mottling or increased capillary refill time) despite hemodynamic support. Participants will be randomized to receive a 48-h intravenous infusion of either Ilomedin or placebo starting at the earliest 6 h and later 24 h after septic shock. The primary outcome will be the change (delta) of sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score between randomization and day 7. Secondary outcomes will include mean SOFA score during the first 7 days after randomization, mortality at day 28 post-randomization, number of ventilation-free survival days in the 28 days post-randomization, number of renal replacement therapy-free survival days in the 28 days post-randomization, number of vasopressor-free survival days in the 28 days post-randomization, and mottling score at day 1 after randomization. DISCUSSION: The trial aims to provide evidence on the efficacy and safety of Ilomedin in patients with septic shock and persistent microcirculatory disorders. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT NCT03788837 . Registered on 28 December 2018.

Decrease of peripheral resistance after intraoperative administration of iloprost in patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus and with peripheral arterial occlusive disease.

BACKGROUND: In many cases, Ilomedin® infusions are applied as part of a perioperative measure in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease because it makes a relevant vasodilatatory effect in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and with/without peripheral neuropathy. AIMS: A prospective case-control study was performed to investigate the effect of prostanoids on peripheral resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and patients without type 2 diabetes mellitus, as well as the role of peripheral neuropathy in patients undergoing arterial reconstruction. METHODS: Sixty patients undergoing arterial reconstruction were enrolled. Sufficient data were collected on 38 patients. Prior to surgery, peripheral nerve conduction velocity was measured. Blood flow volume at the common femoral artery was assessed intraoperatively using a Doppler flowmeter at four time points: at baseline before arterial reconstruction (T0), after reconstruction (T1), after 5 (T2) and 10 min (T3) after intra-arterial application of 3000 ng of Ilomedin. Peripheral resistance units were calculated as a function of mean arterial pressure and flow volume using the following formula: peripheral resistance unit = mean arterial pressure (mm Hg) / flow volume (mL/min). RESULTS: Ilomedin produced an immediate and significant drop of peripheral resistance in patients without type 2 diabetes mellitus as well as in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Patients with peripheral neuropathy showed a less pronounced effect to Ilomedin compared to individuals with normal nerve conduction velocity.

Intra-Arterial Administration of Iloprost in Patients Undergoing Endovascular or Hybrid Revascularization Procedures for Peripheral Arterial Disease.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to find out if intra-arterial intraoperative iloprost administration, in selected patients undergoing endovascular revascularization procedures, could lead to better results compared with a control group of patients with similar clinical background and risk factors. METHODS: We prospectively collected data of consecutive patients undergoing endovascular or hybrid revascularization in the period from June 2017 to August 2019, which were then retrospectively analyzed. Those patients were divided into 2 groups: iloprost and control groups. Inclusion criteria were as follows: the presence of an arteriography that included the foot; Rutherford class 4-6; and Rutherford class 3 with at least 2 cardiovascular risk factors or previous revascularization procedures on the same limb. The intraoperative intra-arterial administration of iloprost was the inclusion criterion for the iloprost group. Patients with a compromised cardiological condition were excluded, as this was a contraindication for iloprost administration. Patients from the 2 groups were matched using the propensity score matching (PSM) methodology of Rosenbaum and Rubin. The primary outcome was freedom from target lesion revascularization (TLR). The secondary outcomes were limb salvage and overall survival. RESULTS: During the mentioned period, we treated 190 consecutive limbs. The mean follow-up was 11.73 months (median, 10; interquartile range, 5-19). After PSM, the freedom from TLR was significantly better in the iloprost group (78 ± 7%, 74 ± 8%, and 63 ± 9% vs. 67 ± 8%, 50 ± 9%, and 38 ± 10% at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively; P = 0.043). No significant difference was found in terms of limb salvage (92 ± 5%, 88 ± 6%, and 88 ± 6% vs. 92 ± 4%, 85 ± 6%, and 81 ± 7% at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively; P = 0.52) and survival (95 ± 3%, 95 ± 3%, and 95 ± 3% vs. 95 ± 4%, 92 ± 5%, and 71 ± 9% at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively; P = 0.14) between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results seem to encourage considering intraoperative use of this adjunct, at least in endovascular revascularization procedures, to improve distal outflow.

Routine Intraoperative Inhaled Milrinone and Iloprost Reduces Inotrope Use in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Catecholamine inotropes are frequently used after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) but may have undesirable effects. The aim was to identify whether the routine use of inhaled pulmonary vasodilators might reduce the requirement for inotrope drugs after cardiac surgery. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of sequential patients undergoing cardiac surgery at the Royal Melbourne Hospital performed by a single surgeon and anesthesia care team, within 14 months before and after routine implementation of inhaled pulmonary vasodilators, August 2017. Milrinone 4 mg and iloprost 20 µg were inhaled using a vibrating mesh nebulizer (Aerogen) before initiation of CPB and at chest closure. Other aspects of clinical management were unaltered over the time period. Two investigators blinded to each other extracted data from electronic and written medical records. The primary outcome was any use of inotropes in the perioperative period; a Fisher exact test was used to analyze any differences between the 2 groups. Demographic data, hemodynamic data, and use of inotropes and vasopressors were collected from induction of anesthesia to 36 hours postoperative in the intensive care unit (ICU). Hospital and ICU length of stay, cost, and complications were collected. RESULTS: Any use of inotropes was significantly lower with inhaled pulmonary dilators (62.5% vs 86.8%, odds ratio [95% confidence interval {CI}], 0.253 (0.083-0.764); P = .011), including intraoperative inotrope use (37.5% vs 86.8%, odds ratio [95% CI], 0.091 (0.03-0.275); P < .001). ICU length of stay was significantly lower with inhaled pulmonary dilators (45 hours, interquartile range [IQR], 27-65 vs 50 hours, IQR, 45-74; P = .026). There were no significant differences among major postoperative complications or costs between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Routine use of inhaled milrinone 4 mg and iloprost 20 µg before and after CPB is associated with reduced postoperative inotrope use.

Therapeutic iloprost for the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (the ThIlo trial): a prospective, randomized, multicenter phase II study.

BACKGROUND: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is caused by rapid-onset (within hours) acute inflammatory processes in lung tissue, and it is a life-threatening condition with high mortality. The treatment of ARDS to date is focused on the prevention of further iatrogenic damage of the lung rather than the treatment of the initial inflammatory process. Several preclinical studies have revealed a beneficial effect of iloprost on the control of pulmonary inflammation, and in a small number of patients with ARDS, iloprost treatment resulted in improved oxygenation. Therefore, we plan to conduct a large multicenter trial to evaluate the effect of iloprost on ARDS. METHODS: The Therapeutic Iloprost during ARDS trial (ThIlo trial) is a multicenter, randomized, single blinded, clinical phase II trial assessing the efficacy of inhaled iloprost for the prevention of the development and progression of ARDS in critically ill patients. One hundred fifty critically ill patients suffering from acute ARDS will be treated either by nebulized iloprost or NaCl 0.9% for 5 days. Blood samples will be drawn at defined time points to elucidate the serum levels of iloprost and inflammatory markers during treatment. Mechanical ventilation will be standardized. In follow-up visits at days 28 and 90 as well as 6 months after enrollment, functional status according to the Barthel Index and a health care-related questionnaire, and frailty (Vulnerable Elders Survey) will be evaluated. The primary endpoint is the improvement of oxygenation, defined as the ratio of PaO2/FiO2. Secondary endpoints include 90-day all-cause mortality, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores during the study period up to day 90, the duration of mechanical ventilation, the length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, ventilator-associated pneumonia, delirium, ICU-acquired weakness, and discharge localization. The study will be conducted in three university ARDS centers in Germany. DISCUSSION: The results of the ThIlo trial will highlight the anti-inflammatory effect of iloprost on early inflammatory processes during ARDS, resulting in the improvement of outcome parameters in patients with ARDS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: EUDRA-CT: 2016-003168-37. Registered on 12 April 2017. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03111212. Registered on 4 June 2017.

Effects of Inhaled Iloprost on Lung Mechanics and Myocardial Function During One-Lung Ventilation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients Combined With Poor Lung Oxygenation.

BACKGROUND: The ventilation/perfusion mismatch in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients can exacerbate cardiac function as well as pulmonary oxygenation. We hypothesized that inhaled iloprost can ameliorate pulmonary oxygenation with lung mechanics and myocardial function during one-lung ventilation (OLV) in COPD patients combined with poor lung oxygenation. METHODS: A total of 40 patients with moderate to severe COPD, who exhibited the ratio of partial pressure of arterial oxygen to the fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FIO2) <150 mm Hg 30 minutes after initiating OLV, were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomly allocated into either ILO group (n = 20) or Control group (n = 20), in which iloprost (20 µg) and saline were inhaled, respectively. The PaO2/FIO2 ratio, dead space, dynamic compliance, and tissue Doppler imaging with myocardial performance index (MPI) were assessed 30 minutes after initiating OLV (pre-Tx) and 30 minutes after completion of drug inhalation (post-Tx). Repeated variables were analyzed using a linear mixed-model between the groups. RESULTS: At pre-Tx, no differences were observed in measured parameters between the groups. At post-Tx, PaO2/FIO2 ratio (P < .001) and dynamic compliance (P = .023) were significantly higher and dead space ventilation was significantly lower (P = .001) in iloprost group (ILO group) compared to Control group. Left (P = .003) and right ventricular MPIs (P < .001) significantly decreased in ILO group compared to Control group. CONCLUSIONS: Inhaled iloprost improved pulmonary oxygenation, lung mechanics, and cardiac function simultaneously during OLV in COPD patients with poor lung oxygenation.

Sex differences of hemodynamics during acute vasoreactivity testing to predict the outcomes of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Acute vasoreactivity testing (AVT) which reflects the compliance of the pulmonary vascular bed has been proven to be of prognostic value. The purpose of the present study is to explore the sex differences of hemodynamics during the AVT and their impact on event-free survival in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). METHODS: Eighty-six patients underwent a right heart catheterization and AVT at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital from February 2009 to February 2018. Univariate and multiple stepwise regression analysis were performed to determine the predictors of independent event-free survival, and receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted to determine the cut-off value of independent parameters in CTEPH. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in both demographics and hemodynamics between male and female patients with CTEPH. Except ΔPVR/PVR showed a significantly higher difference in female than male patients (P = 0.034). Male patients had higher mRAP of pre- and post-AVT than female patients in the event-free subgroup, while, female patients showed higher PVR of pre-AVT than male patients in the event subgroup (P < 0.05). The mRAP and SvO2 were independent predictors of event-free survival in female patients both before and after the AVT, whereas ΔSvO2 was an independent predictor of event-free survival in male patients. CONCLUSION: Hemodynamics during the AVT varied between male and female patients with CTEPH. Both sexes displayed unique hemodynamic responses that were independently able to predict event-free survival. Therefore, better estimates of prognosis in CTEPH can be made when sex differences are also taken into consideration.

Low dose Iloprost effect on platelet aggregation in comatose out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients: A predefined sub-study of the ENDO-RCA randomized -phase 2- trial.

PURPOSE: This is a predefined sub-study of the Endothelial Dysfunction in Resuscitated Cardiac Arrest (ENDO-RCA) trial. We aim to investigate Iloprost, a prostacyclin analogue, safety by evaluating change in whole blood platelet aggregometry (Multiplate) in out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients from baseline to 96-h post randomization. METHODS: A randomized, placebo controlled double-blinded trial in 46 OHCA patients. Patients were allocated 1:2 to 48 h Iloprost infusion, (1 ng/kg/min) or placebo (saline infusion). Platelet aggregation was determined by platelet aggregation tests ASPI-test (arachidonic acid); TRAP-test (thrombin-receptor activating peptide (TRAP)-6; RISTO test (Ristocetin); ADP test (adenosin diphosphat). RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the iloprost and placebo groups according to ASPI, TRAP, RISTO and ADP platelet aggregation assays. Further, no significant differences regarding risk of bleeding were found between groups (Risk of bleeding: ASPI <40 U; TRAP <92 U; RISTO <35 U; ADP <50 U). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the iloprost infusion did not influence platelet aggregation as evaluated by the ASPI, TRAP, RISTO and ADP assays. There was no increased risk of bleeding or transfusion therapy. A decline in platelet aggregation was observed for the ASPI and ADP assays during the initial 96 h after OHCA. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registration at clinicaltrials.gov (identifier NCT02685618) on 18-02-2016.

A single-centre, placebo-controlled, double-blind randomised cross-over study of nebulised iloprost in patients with Eisenmenger syndrome: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), is a rare and progressive disease with a high morbidity and mortality. Prostanoid pulmonary vasodilators are the most effective treatment for idiopathic and connective tissue associated PAH. Nonetheless, data examining their safety and efficacy in patients with Eisenmenger syndrome the most severe form of PAH, that is, related to cyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD-PAH) remains limited. AIM: To evaluate safety and the clinical efficacy of nebulised iloprost in patients with Eisenmenger syndrome who are on maximum background oral PAH therapy. METHODS: This pilot study was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. Patients were randomised to receive nebulised placebo or iloprost for 12 weeks and were then crossed over, with a 7-14-day washout. The primary endpoint was a change in 6-minute walk distance (6MWD). RESULTS: Sixteen patients (11 females, aged 47.3 ±â€¯9.8 year) were recruited, twelve completed the study. All were in WHO-FC III, with a resting oxygen saturation of 84 [81-87] % and a median 6MWD of 290 [260-300] m. There was no significant difference in the primary endpoint between nebulised iloprost (0[-4-9]m) and placebo (10 [-15-51]m), p = 0.58. There were no safety concerns with nebulised iloprost. CONCLUSIONS: Our pilot study provides preliminary evidence that the addition of nebulised iloprost to maximum oral PAH therapy did not improve the primary endpoint of 6MWD. Nebulised iloprost was well tolerated with no significant safety concerns in CHD-PAH.