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Suppressive effect of saprogrelate hydrochloride on Raynaud's phenomenon and respiratory failure in patients with
1First Department of Internal Medicine, Dokkyo University School of Medicine Tochigi, Japan.
Objective:
In seven patients with systemic sclerosis (SS), we evaluated the clinical effectiveness of oral administration of saprogrelate hydrochloride (SH: 300 mg/day) for 2 months on Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) and respiratory failure estimated by Hugh-Jones classification.
Methodology:
We evaluated laboratory data (arterial blood gas (pH, PaO2 and PaCO2), pulmonary function tests (%VC, FEV1/FVC and %DL(CO)), mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), white blood cell count, C-reactive protein and the plasma levels of fibrinopeptide A (FPA), beta-thrombogloblin (beta-TG), platelet factor 4 (PF4) and thrombomodulin (TM)) before and after SH administration.
Results:
The frequency and duration of RP, as well as the coldness, numbness and pain of RP were significantly decreased after SH administration (P < 0.05, P < 0.01 and P < 0.001). Respiratory failure estimated by Hugh-Jones classification was also significantly decreased after SH administration (P < 0.05), and the %DL(CO) was significantly increased (P < 0.01). The mPAP decreased significantly after SH administration (P < 0.05). Plasma FPA, beta-TG and PF4 significantly decreased after administration (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01).
Conclusions:
SH therapy could prevent RP and respiratory failure in patients with SS.
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