VASA. Zeitschrift für Gefässkrankheiten
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Low-dose iloprost infusions compared to the standard dose in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease Fontaine stage IV. DAWID Study Group.
Intravenous iloprost, titrated from 0.5 up to 2.0 ng/kg/min has been shown in patients with PAOD III/IV to significantly improve healing of trophic lesions, relief of rest pain, and reduce the rate of major amputation or death at 6 months as compared to placebo. The effect is considered related to improvement of the microcirculation. The aim of the present trial was to identify an optimum dose regarding treatment response and tolerability, by studying 4 doses of 25, 50, 75 and 100 micrograms iloprost daily. ⋯ It is concluded that iloprost should be titrated to the optimum rather than maximum tolerated dose, since a higher incidence of side effects not associated with an increased treatment response was observed at higher doses.