O-089 - SULODEXIDE IMPROVES CAPILLARY BLOOD FLOW AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH RAYNAUD PHENOMENON

TOPIC:
Medical therapies (antithrombotic, anti-hypertensive, diabetes mellitus etc.)
AUTHORS:
Juszynski M. (Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education ~ Warsaw ~ Poland) , Madycki G. (Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education ~ Warsaw ~ Poland)
Introduction:
Raynaud Phenomenon (RP) is one of the most common diseases of microcirculation. Calcium antagonists, ACE inhibitors and α1-blockers are the most commonly used in therapy of RP. The aim of this study was to estimate a potential usefulness of Sulodexide in the treatment of RP, by evaluation of the drug influence on capillary blood flow and the quality of life in patients with RP.
Methods:
34 patients were recruited (24 females and 10 males). Prior to the administration of the drug, a baseline examination of capillary vessels in fingers of both hands was undertaken, and the quality of life (QOL) was assessed with a questionnaire. The dose of 1000 LSU of Sulodexide (Vessel Due F, Alfasigma) was administered daily for 20 consecutive days. Between days 20 and 70 of the study, the daily dosage was reduced to 500 LSU. At the end of the day 70 the drug was discontinued. The assessment of capillary flow in middle fingers of both hands and the QOL evaluation were completed on days 1, 20, 70, and 100 of the study in all patients.
Results:
Statistically significant (p<0.01) improved blood flow values were found in subsequent measurements at 10oC. Perfusion in capillary vessels after administration of Sulodexide was improved by 193% in the right hand and by 174% in the left one. The improvement of capillary blood flow in both hands was observed at room temperature (R 121%, L 145%) and at +44oC (R 106%, L 102%). However, differences between subsequent measurements taken at room temperature in both hands and at 44oC in the left hand were not statistically significant, while differences between measurements taken in right hands at 44oC were statistically significant (p<0.05). The dominating character of the right hand could be the reason. Frequency of RP episodes per week decreased from 2.03 before the first Sulodexide dose to 1.47 at the end of the study. A significant QOL improvement (93.5%, p<0,05) was observed after 20 days of Sulodexide therapy. Despite of the decrease of the drug dose on the day 20 of treatment and its discontinuation at the end of the day 70, the improved QOL (32.3%) was observed on the day 100, compared to baseline values.
Conclusion:
Our study indicate that the treatment of RP with Sulodexide results in long-term improvement of capillary flow and reduces frequency of RP relapses. Moreover, a significant improvement of QOL was observed during the Sulodexide therapy, including a decrease in recurrence of RP episodes as well as reduced pain sensitivity.