Baseline plasma fibrinolysis and its correlation with clinical manifestations in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon

Article Abstract:

Decreased levels of fibrinolysis may occur in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) who have damage to the lining of blood vessels. RP is characterized by intermittent attacks of decreased blood flow to the fingers and toes and sometimes the ears and nose. Fibrinolysis is the dissolution of fibrin, a protein formed during the normal clotting of blood. Among 168 patients with RP, 46 had primary Raynaud's disease (RD), 32 had suspected Raynaud's syndrome (RS) secondary to an undifferentiated connective tissue disorder (undifferentiated CTD), 25 had RS with atherosclerosis (athero RS) and 65 had an underlying connective tissue disease (CTD RS). Blood samples were examined and it was found that patients with CTD RS or athero RS had decreased levels of fibrinolysis. Levels of fibrinolysis were normal in patients with RD or undifferentiated CTD.

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Abnormal plasma fibrinolysis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and impaired endothelial fibrinolytic response in those complicated by vasculitis

Article Abstract:

Impaired fibrinolysis may increase the risk of vasculitis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Fibrinolysis is the enzymatic dissolution of fibrin, a substance formed during blood clot formation. Vasculitis is inflammation of a blood vessel. Researchers compared 63 RA patients to 64 healthy individuals (control group). Twenty-five RA patients had symptoms of rheumatoid vasculitis, and 38 did not. Levels of tissue plasminogen activator antigen increased significantly after occlusion of a vein in patients with RA alone and the control group. They did not increase significantly in patients with vasculitis. Patients with vasculitis also had higher blood levels of factor VIII von Willebrand factor (vWF). Elevated blood levels of vWF are associated with blood vessel damage.

Complications and side effects, Rheumatoid arthritis, Vasculitis, Vascular endothelium

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Oral iloprost as a treatment for Raynaud's syndrome: a double blind multicentre placebo controlled study

Article Abstract:

A new, orally administered form of iloprost may improve symptoms related to Raynaud's syndrome (RS). RS is caused by constriction of the blood vessels of the hands and feet in response to cold or emotion. Of 63 patients who had at least eight attacks a week, 32 took 50 to 150 micrograms of iloprost and 31 took a placebo for 10 days. Sixty percent of the placebo group reported that their symptoms were the same or worse, while 60% of the iloprost group said their condition was improved. Side effects of headache, flushing, and nausea caused three patients in the iloprost group to withdraw from the study, and most patients to reduce their dose. Because of a high placebo response, iloprost was not found to be significantly effective even though it improved symptoms somewhat.

Evaluation, Drug therapy, Vasodilators, Vasodilator agents

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