ISSN:
1434-9949
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Calcium channel blockers have been used in the treatment of primary and secondary Raynaud's phenomenon (RP), and a beneficial effect was often recorded. The efficacy of slow-releasing nicardipine was assessed in a clinically homogeneous series of RP without underlying diseases in a randomized, double blind, cross-over and placebo controlled trial. Out of twenty-one selected patients (18 women and 3 men, mean age 46±12 yrs) eighteen completed the study and three dropped out, one for inadequate compliance and two due to headache. After a threeweek period, slow-releasing nicardipine (20 mg two times daily) was significantly more useful than placebo: the number of RP episodes per week decreased (p〈0.02), severity of discomfort and hand disability scores, evaluated after single RP attack, clearly improved (p〈0.005 and p〈0.02, respectively). According to clinical improvement, time of peak flow after postischemic reactive hyperaemia test was significantly reduced only after nicardipine (p〈0.01). These results show that slow-releasing nicardipine is generally well tolerated and can provide effective improvement in RP patients without underlying diseases.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02207089
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