VASCULAR DEMENTIA ITALIAN SULODEXIDE STUDY (VADISS) - CLINICAL AND BIOLOGICAL RESULTS

In order to evaluate the biological effects on some haemostasis factor s of antithrombotic-hemorheological treatments on patients with vascul ar dementia, a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, st udy comparing sulodexide (Sdx, 50 mg bid orally for 6 months) and pent oxifylline (Ptx, 400 mg tid orally for six months) was carried out. Ei ghty-six patients, 46 in Sdx group, 40 in Ptx group, fulfilling the NI NDS-AIREN criteria for probable vascular dementia were evaluated. Plas ma fibrinogen levels showed a significant reduction in both groups, in patients with high basal levels (greater than or equal to 350 mg/dl), the reduction being earlier in Sdx group (2nd month of therapy) than in Ptx group (4th month of therapy). In Sdx group a significant reduct ion in factor VII-Ag (baseline 102.8 U/dl; 6th month 90.1 U/dl) was al so observed. Both drugs induced a slight reduction in activated factor VII levels as well. A parallel improvement of G.B.S. Rating Scale for dementia scores was observed in Sdx group. These results seem to indi cate that sulodexide treatment can have positive effects in vascular d ementia. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.