Author/Authors :
Heidari، Ramin نويسنده Assistant Professor of Cardiology , , Tavakolipour، Parya نويسنده Cardiologist, Department of Cardiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran , , Sadeghi، Masoumeh نويسنده , , Vosough، Aliakbar نويسنده Internist, Department of Cardiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran , , Rabiei، Katayoun نويسنده Rehabilitation Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran ,
Abstract :
BACKGROUND: One of the causes of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) is mustard gas
poisoning, which is a destructive factor in chemical bombs that contaminated Iranian soldiers
during Iraq-Iran war. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of sildenafil, an effective
drug for PAH, on symptoms of PAH caused by mustard gas.
METHODS: In a quasi-experimental study on 20 patients with a history of mustard gas
poisoning and PAH symptoms, pulmonary artery pressure was measured with a transthoracic
echocardiography (TTE). Patients took a 6-minute walking test (6-MWT), and then, they were
treated for 12 weeks with 50 mg dailysildenafil. Finally, echocardiography and 6-MWT were
repeated.
RESULTS: All patients were men with a mean age of 42.8±3.9 years. Mean pressure of
pulmonary artery at the beginning of the study was 37.7±8.2 mmHg, and the walked distance
at 6-MWT was 263.3±2.2 meters. After 12 weeks, these values were 29.1±6.5 mmHg, and
291.3±82.3 meters, respectively, which were significantly higher.
CONCLUSION: This studyshowed that sildenafil improves mustard gas PAH. On the basis of
our findings, even a single daily dose of sildenafil can have a good effect on these patients.
