Key result
Treprostinil improves clinical state and exercise capacity in pulmonary arterial hypertension, though infusion site pain may limit treatment in 10% of patients.
Why the study?
Does treprostinil improve clinical outcomes and quality of life in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension?
Does treprostinil improve clinical outcomes and quality of life in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension?
Treprostinil is an effective and generally well-tolerated subcutaneous prostacyclin analog for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Supports treprostinil consideration in PAH with site-pain monitoring; leaves open comparative long-term efficacy.
Treprostinil (Remodulin, United Therapeutics) is a stable, long-acting prostacyclin analog, which has been shown to improve clinical state, functional class, exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, an uncommon disease with poor prognosis. The drug is administered as a continuous subcutaneous infusion using a portable miniature delivery system. Side effects include facial flush, headache, jaw pain, abdominal cramping and diarrhea. These are all typical of prostacyclin impregnation and manageable by symptom-directed dose adjustments. Infusion site pain, a more serious side effect, may limit the treatment in 10% of patients. Otherwise, treprostinil has an excellent safety profile and compares favorably with reference continuous intravenous epoprostenol (Flolan, GlaxoSmithKline) therapy. Treprostinil has a place in currently proposed treatment algorithms of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
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Vachiéry et al. (2004) conducted a review in Pulmonary arterial hypertension. Treprostinil vs. Continuous intravenous epoprostenol was evaluated. Treprostinil improves clinical state and exercise capacity in pulmonary arterial hypertension, though infusion site pain may limit treatment in 10% of patients.
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