Interesting looks like Viagra (
Sildenafil) might be helpful for those with pulmonary hypertension.

Newswise — For patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension occurring
in association with diseases of the connective tissues, sildenafil
(Revatio) can improve their ability to exercise as well as the
movement of blood through their cardiac system, according to research
presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual
Scientific Meeting in San Diego, California.

Patients with connective tissue diseases, such as scleroderma,
systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, polymyositis, and
dermatomyositis, may develop pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a
serious, progressive and difficult to manage condition that causes
continuous high blood pressure in the pulmonary artery. Typically, the
pulmonary artery carries oxygen-poor blood from the right ventricle in
the heart to the small arteries in the lungs. With PAH, the walls of
these arteries may tighten, narrowing the path through which the blood
flows.
Pulmonary artery walls can also thicken resulting in narrowing of the
artery. For patients, this translates into difficulty in breathing,
dizziness and fatigue and, if left untreated, eventually death.

Overall results of a 12-week study of 278 randomized PAH patients
taking either placebo or oral sildenafil (20, 40, or 80 mg) three
times daily have already demonstrated that sildenafil may be
beneficial in helping manage the condition. In a follow-up study,
researchers examined the efficiency of oral sildenafil therapy in a
subgroup of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension associated
with connective tissue disease. These patients were assessed for
exercise capacity as measured by six-minute walks, hemodynamic
parameters (the forces generated by the heart and the motion of blood
through the cardiovascular system), changes in ability to function and
tolerance to the treatment.

For those taking 20 mg of sildenafil three times daily, improvements
were seen in their exercise capacity, pulmonary artery pressure, and
pulmonary vascular resistance. The medication was generally well
tolerated.

Sildenafil is also marketed as Viagra, although the dosages are
slightly different than sildenafil marketed as Revatio.

“The results indicated that oral sildenafil, taken in 20 mg doses
three times a day, improved these patients’ ability to function,” said
David Badesch, MD, Professor of Medicine, and Clinical Director of the
Pulmonary Hypertension Center, University of Colorado, Denver,
Colorado. “This demonstrates that sildenafil can prove an effective
treatment for a hard-to-manage condition.”

The American College of Rheumatology is the professional organization
for rheumatologists and health professionals who share a dedication to
healing, preventing disability and curing arthritis and related
rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. For more information on the
ACR’s annual meeting, see http://www.rheumatology.org/annual.

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