Inhaled Iloprost

Excerpt

Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is a severe disease characterised by a progressive increase of pulmonary vascular resistance leading to right ventricular failure and premature death. A reduced production of prostacyclin, a vasodilator, platelet inhibitor and antiproliferative substance produced by endothelial cells, has been demonstrated in both animal models and affected patients. Continuous intravenous administration of epoprostenol, a synthetic salt of prostacyclin, has been shown to improve symptoms and prognosis in patients with PPH. However, this form of treatment requires a complex delivery system and is associated with several adverse effects and potentially serious complications. Therefore, new prostacyclin analogues with different routes of administration have been tested in randomised controlled trials in patients with PPH. …