Sildenafil improves walk distance in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Pulmonary hypertension is a common finding in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Therapy with sildenafil has been shown to decrease pulmonary vascular resistance in patients with pulmonary fibrosis and may improve functional status. Patients with IPF and documented pulmonary hypertension were followed up in an open-label study of sildenafil. The 6-min walk test distance (6MWD) was obtained before and after 3 months of sildenafil therapy. Fourteen patients were followed up in the study; 11 patients completed both 6-min walk tests. The mean improvement in walk distance was 49.0 m (90% confidence interval, 17.5 to 84.0 m). When all 14 patients were dichotomized into groups of "responders" (ie, >/= 20% improvement in 6MWD) or "nonresponders" (ie, < 20% change or unable to complete), 57% were classified as responders. Sildenafil is a promising and well-tolerated therapeutic agent for use in patients with IPF and pulmonary hypertension, and should be studied in a large, well-controlled trial.