A. Saadjian et al., LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF CICLETANINE ON SECONDARY PULMONARY-HYPERTENSION, Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology, 31(3), 1998, pp. 364-371
Cicletanine, a furopyridine-derivative drug, was shown to enhance the
production of endogenous prostacyclin. The potent vasodilating propert
ies of prostacyclin are used to treat severe primary pulmonary hyperte
nsion. Prostacyclin has a short half-life and can be administered only
as an i.v. infusion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect
s of cicletanine on pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) resulting from
chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD). In a double-blind controlled
study, we evaluated the effects of short-and long-term administration
of cicletanine (50 mg daily, orally) on hemodynamics and blood gases
of patients with PAH resulting from COLD. The initial dose of 50 mg of
cicletanine had no effect. A significant decrease in the mean pulmona
ry artery pressure (15%) and in total pulmonary resistance (20%) was o
bserved after 3 Or 12 months of treatment in the cicletanine group (11
patients), when compared with placebo (12 patients). PaO2 decreased s
lightly in the cicletanine group, but the difference from the control
group was not significant. These results suggest that long-term treatm
ent with cicletanine can induce effective pulmonary vasodilation in pa
tients with PAH caused by COLD and that this is probably responsible f
or a small venous admixture.