Iloprost infusion through elastomeric pump in the treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon and digital ulcers

Systemic sclerosis is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by microangiopathy and fibroblast dysfunction resulting in fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Raynaud's phenomenon and digital ulcers are the main clinical features of vascular involvement. Treatment with iloprost is recommended to reduce the frequency and severity of Raynaud's phenomenon attacks and to heal active digital ulcer. Classical forms of treatment require admission to a ward or day-hospital unit to ensure safety during infusion, causing disruption of the patient's normal daily life and resulting in significant costs with hospitalization. Nowadays, new portable devices, of which the elastomeric pump is an example, are becoming available in order to avoid hospitalization.

We describe five cases of patients with systemic sclerosis or mixed connective tissue disease and severe Raynaud's phenomenon/critical ischaemia or active digital ulcers that were successfully treated with iloprost infusion through elastomeric pump without experiencing any side effects. We present our unit's protocol for ambulatory infusion.

Our case reports and a brief review of literature prove that iloprost infusion through elastomeric pump is safe, easy and well tolerated and might even improve patient compliance with treatment. Meanwhile, it may also decrease the economic burden of hospitalization with these patients.