Veale DJ, Muir AH, Morley KD, Belch JJ, et al.
Clinical rheumatology. Date of publication 1995 Mar 1;volume 14(2):187-90.
1. Clin Rheumatol. 1995 Mar;14(2):187-90.
Treatment of vasculitic leg ulcers in connective tissue disease with iloprost.
Veale DJ(1), Muir AH, Morley KD, Belch JJ.
Author information:
(1)University Department of Medicine, Dundee Medical School, U.K.
Leg ulcers are a recognised manifestation of cutaneous vasculitis in connective
tissue diseases (CTDs) including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Iloprost a stable
prostacyclin analogue has been successfully used to treat Raynaud's phenomenon
and digital ulcers associated with CTD's. Our aim was to assess iloprost in the
treatment of vasculitic leg ulcers in CTD. In this paper we describe eight cases
of vasculitic leg ulceration in association with RA and CTD, treated with
intravenous iloprost. The iloprost was administered for 6-8 hours daily and
continued for 21-28 days. Immunosuppressive therapy was required in three
patients with severe necrotising vasculitis (RAnv). Complete ulcer healing was
achieved in four patients within 6 weeks of commencing therapy while rapid
improvement occurred in the other four patients. This suggests that iloprost may
be useful as an adjunct to therapy for vasculitic leg ulcers. A double-blind
placebo controlled study of iloprost therapy for RA leg ulcers is under way.
PMID: 7540526 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
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