6533b871fe1ef96bd12d105f

RESEARCH PRODUCT

The treatment of venous leg ulcers: a new therapeutic use of iloprost

subject

description

Background: We conducted a study using an intravenous (i.v.) infusion of iloprost in the treatment of venous ulcers to verify whether the association of i.v. iloprost + local therapy + elastic compression has a favorable effect when compared with traditional treatment with local therapy and elastic compression. Study Design: We evaluated the effects of iloprost in 98 consecutive patients with noncomplicated venous ulcers of lower limbs subdivided into 2 groups: the first group (48 patients) received iloprost in saline solution for 3 weeks and the second group (50 patients) received a venous infusion of a saline solution. The patients were examined at baseline time 0 (first visit) and then after 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 90, 105 120, 135, and 150 days. Results: In the first group, after 90 days, all the ulcers had healed, whereas in the second group only 50% of ulcers had healed after 105 days. At the end of the study, in the second group only 84.09% of ulcers had healed. The statistical analysis showed a significant difference between the first (iloprost group) and the second group (placebo group). Besides, in the first group the cicatrization of the ulcer happened in a shorter period (27.90% after 60 days; 41.86% after 75 days; and 100% after 100 days) whereas in the second group, at the end of the study, in 15.91 % of patients the ulcers had not recovered. Conclusion: Iloprost can significantly reduce healing time for venous leg ulcers through several actions.