EFFECTIVE DEFIBROTIDE THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH RAPID PROGRESSIVE HEARING-LOSS

Defibrotide is a natural polydesoxyribonucleotide, isolated from mamma lian lungs, which either preserves or enhances the release of the anti -aggregatory eicosanoid, prostacyclin. It is also fibrinolytic by libe rating tissue plasminogen activator and reducing the level of its inhi bitor. Defibrotide was used in 23 patients with unilateral sensorineur al hearing loss. Treatment with defibrotide resulted in, a) a shorteni ng of the euglobulin clot lysis time, b) an increase in platelet aggre gation ratio, and c) a decrease in platelet susceptibility to ADP. The efficacy of defibrotide in patients with rapid progressive hearing lo ss was 95% of complete or partial recovery. It is suggested that defib rotide causes functional modulation of the endothelium.