Authors
Robyn J Barst, Lewis J Rubin, Walker A Long, Michael D McGoon, Stuart Rich, David B Badesch, Bertron M Groves, Victor F Tapson, Robert C Bourge, Bruce H Brundage, Spencer K Koerner, David Langleben, Cesar A Keller, Srinivas Murali, Barry F Uretsky, Linda M Clayton, Maria M Jöbsis, Shelmer D Blackburn Jr, Denise Shortino, James W Crow
Publication date
1996/2/1
Journal
New England Journal of Medicine
Volume
334
Issue
5
Pages
296-301
Publisher
Massachusetts Medical Society
Description
Background
Primary pulmonary hypertension is a progressive disease for which no treatment has been shown in a prospective, randomized trial to improve survival.
Methods
We conducted a 12-week prospective, randomized, multicenter open trial comparing the effects of the continuous intravenous infusion of epoprostenol (formerly called prostacyclin) plus conventional therapy with those of conventional therapy alone in 81 patients with severe primary pulmonary hypertension (New York Heart Association functional class III or IV).
Results
Exercise capacity was improved in the 41 patients treated with epoprostenol (median distance walked in six minutes, 362 m at 12 weeks vs. 315 m at base line), but it decreased in the 40 patients treated with conventional therapy alone (204 m at 12 weeks vs. 270 m at base line; P<0.002 for the comparison of the treatment groups). Indexes of the quality of life were improved …
Total citations
Scholar articles
RJ Barst, LJ Rubin, WA Long, MD McGoon, S Rich… - New England Journal of Medicine, 1996