Effects of defibrotide in patients with chronic deep insufficiency. The PROVEDIS study.

Abstract

AIM:

In the present study the effect of defibrotide, an antithrombotic and profibrinolytic agent, was investigated in patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) due to deep vein obstruction and/or reflux (chronic deep vein insufficiency, CDVI).

METHODS:

The study was a multicenter, randomized, double blind placebo controlled trial in which only patients with CDVI confirmed by ultrasound were enrolled. All patients were treated with adequate elastic compression and randomized to receive either oral defibrotide (800 mg/die) or matching placebo for 1 year. Patients with active or previous leg ulcer were excluded.

RESULTS:

A total of 288 patients were randomized and 159 completed the study. At baseline ultrasound investigation, obstructive changes were found in 2/3 of all patients thus ascertaining a post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). The primary endpoint, ankle circumference, was significantly reduced under defibrotide from day 120 throughout 360. Scores for pain and edema were improved. The number of episodes of superficial thrombophlebitis and deep vein thrombosis was significantly lower under defibrotide (n=2) than under placebo (n=10). The majority of these events occurred in the subset of patients with documented PTS.

CONCLUSION:

Treatment with defibrotide in addition to elastic compression in patients with objectively assessed CDVI, mostly due to PTS, resulted in clinical benefits and prevented thrombotic complications harmful to the limb conditions.

• Authors: S Coccheri, G M Andreozzi, M D'Addato, G F Gensini, PROVEDIS Study Group
• Journal: International angiology : a journal of the International Union of Angiology (Int Angiol) Vol. 23 Issue 2 Pg. 100-7 (Jun 2004) ISSN: 0392-9590 [Print] Italy
• PMID: 15507885 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Fibrinolytic Agents
• Polydeoxyribonucleotides
• defibrotide

Topics

• Aged
• Ankle (pathology)
• Bandages
• Chronic Disease
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Fibrinolytic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Polydeoxyribonucleotides (therapeutic use)
• Ultrasonography, Doppler
• Vascular Diseases (drug therapy)
• Venous Thrombosis (drug therapy)