Study of Sildenafil Effects in Combination With Rehabilitation in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Associated Pulmonary Hypertension

Summary

Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor that has been approved for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension with orphan drug designation. Sildenafil modulates the nitric oxide (NO) pathway in the vessel wall. Since this pathway is impaired in pulmonary arteries of patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the investigators hypothesized that sildenafil might improve pulmonary hemodynamics and increase exercise tolerance in this condition.

Timeline

Start

2008-08

Primary completion

2011-03

Completion

2012-01

Publications

• Blanco I, Santos S, Gea J, Guell R, Torres F, Gimeno-Santos E, Rodriguez DA, Vilaro J, Gomez B, Roca J, Barbera JA. Sildenafil to improve respiratory rehabilitation outcomes in COPD: a controlled trial. Eur Respir J. 2013 Oct;42(4):982-92. doi: 10.1183/09031936.00176312. Epub 2013 Feb 21.

Drugs

Indications