Use of intravenous epoprostenol as a treatment for the digital vasculopathy associated with the scleroderma spectrum of diseases

Intermittent versus continuous intravenous epoprostenol for the treatment of digital ischemia

Digital ischemia can be a painful complication of Raynaud's phenomenon or systemic sclerosis, which is caused by narrowing of blood vessels in the toes and hands. Epoprostenol is a potent vasodilator that may be used to treat digital ischemia in this patient population. Our institution provides epoprostenol infusion using two different administration techniques: a 30-h continuous infusion option and a 5-day intermittent 6-h infusion. In this retrospective chart review, we compared two administration techniques of intravenous epoprostenol administered to patients with digital ischemia. The primary outcome was to compare the efficacy of intravenous epoprostenol 30-h continuous infusion versus 5-day intermittent infusion, as defined by the presence of treatment failure. Between June 2019 and June 2020, 72 adult patient encounters met the inclusion criteria (intermittent: n = 20; continuous: n = 52). The primary outcome did not achieve a statistically significant difference between the two groups: intermittent 20% versus continuous 33.3% p = 0.390, odds ratio = 0.57 (95% confidence interval = 0.17-1.90). Adverse reactions were documented in 28% of patients across both treatment groups, and there was no difference detected when treatment groups were compared (25% vs 28.8%). Patients who received the 5-day infusion experienced a significantly longer average length of stay, with a mean of 8.9 days versus 3 days for those treated with the continuous 30-h infusion (p < 0.05; 95% confidence interval = 2.15-9.47). This study determined that the efficacy and safety profiles of the two administration techniques may not be comparable. Each protocol offers advantages over the other, and selection should be guided by patient history and risk factors to optimize management.

Raynaud's phenomenon and digital ulcers: advances in evaluation and management

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this review is to give an update on advances in evaluation and management of systemic sclerosis (SSc)-related Raynaud's phenomenon and digital ulceration, focusing on reports from the last 18 months. The increasing recognition of the huge impact of Raynaud's phenomenon and of digital ulceration on the everyday lives of patients with SSc has sparked enthusiasm internationally to develop better outcome measures and better treatments, and so a review is timely.

RECENT FINDINGS

There have been recent advances in the development of patient reported outcome instruments [e.g. the Hand Disability in Systemic Sclerosis-Digital Ulcers (HDISS-DU) instrument] and also in noninvasive imaging techniques, including thermography and laser Doppler methods. Improved outcome measures will facilitate future clinical trials, both early phase proof-of-concept and later phase trials. New insights have been gained into mechanisms of action and methods of administration of 'conventional' therapies, for example phosphodiesterase inhibitors and intravenous prostanoids. New treatment approaches are being investigated, including topical and procedural therapies.

SUMMARY

Clinicians can look forward to seeing these advances translating into clinical benefit over the next 5 years. To help ensure this, they should strive whenever possible to recruit patients with SSc-related digital vasculopathy into observational studies and clinical trials.

Digital ulcers: should debridement be a standard of care in systemic sclerosis?

Digital ulcers are a serious, recurrent complication in patients with systemic sclerosis. They are often slow to heal and exquisitely painful. Local wound care, such as debridement of the wound bed, is an essential component in the management of digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis. However, digital ulcer debridement is not a standard of care, and there is substantial international variation in the use of this approach. In this Viewpoint, we discuss the assessment of the wound bed and different methods of debridement using the model of tissue management, infection and inflammation, moisture control, and wound edge or epidermal advancement, known as TIME. We highlight the challenges in standard practice and the need for research into local wound care for this type of ulceration, before suggesting a potential roadmap to develop a standardised approach to support ulcer debridement in systemic sclerosis. Debridement might be the missing component in optimising the management of digital ulcers and we propose that the approach should be rigorously investigated as a standard of care in this common complication of systemic sclerosis.

Raynaud's phenomenon

Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is common, affecting approximately 5% of the population, and is important to the rheumatologist because it is often the presenting symptom of connective tissue disease, especially of systemic sclerosis (SSc)-spectrum disorders. RP therefore provides a window of opportunity for early diagnosis. When RP is associated with SSc it is particularly challenging to treat. This review begins with a discussion of some of the recent advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of RP: it is through increased understanding of the complex pathophysiology of RP that we are most likely to develop new therapies. The following questions are then addressed (with three clinical scenarios demonstrating key principles of assessment and management): 1. How can we predict underlying connective tissue disease in the patient presenting with Raynaud's? 2. How can we measure severity of Raynaud's? 3. What are the latest advances in treatment of connective tissue disease-related digital vasculopathy?

Digital ulcer debridement in systemic sclerosis: a systematic literature review

Optimal wound care is an essential component in the management of systemic sclerosis (SSc) digital ulcers (DUs). DU debridement has been suggested to reduce ulcer-related pain and improve tissue healing. However, only a minority of rheumatologists perform DU debridement, and there is no standard of care/protocol. Our objectives were to (i) evaluate the current evidence for the use of debridement in DU management and (ii) assess whether there are any specific protocols. A systematic literature review was performed searching the PubMed database (between 01/01/1950-01/03/2019) in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Two independent reviewers screened and extracted the abstracts/full manuscripts. Articles in English, which focussed on SSc-DU debridement/curettage, were included. Exclusion criteria included studies of juvenile/paediatric patients and basic/non-clinical research. Our search identified 1497 studies of which 4 studies were included in our final analysis. Three studies used scalpel debridement, and one study used this in combination with autolytic debridement. No studies specifically reported the effect on DU healing from debridement. Autolytic debridement with hyaluronate-based products was associated with significant ulcer pain and inflammation. Local anaesthetic significantly reduces pain both during and after debridement. Combined local and oral analgesia is often required for more severe or infected DUs. DU (scalpel and autolytic) debridement is being used by some clinicians in rheumatology; however, there are no standardised protocols. To improve wound care for SSc-DUs, future research should focus on developing a standardised protocol for SSc-DU debridement, with a view to facilitate randomised controlled trials to demonstrate safety and treatment efficacy.Key Points• Optimal wound care is an essential component in the management of systemic sclerosis-digital ulcers.• 'Sharp' debridement uses a scalpel, whereas 'autolytic' debridement uses dressings to optimize endogenous tissue lysis.• There is significant variation in the use of digital ulcer debridement in systemic sclerosis.• A standardized protocol and randomized controlled trials are needed to demonstrate debridement the safety and efficacy of digital ulcer debridement in systemic sclerosis.

Raynaud's phenomenon

Raynaud's phenomenon can be either primary (idiopathic) or secondary to underlying disease including systemic sclerosis. Primary Raynaud's phenomenon is very common, affecting approximately 3%-5% of the general population. Although much rarer, systemic sclerosis-related Raynaud's phenomenon can be particularly severe, progressing to digital ulceration in approximately 50% of patients. Raynaud's phenomenon can have a major impact on quality of life. This review has a focus on the systemic sclerosis-related Raynaud's phenomenon (which is the most researched form of Raynaud's phenomenon and probably the most challenging to treat) and on recent advances. Epidemiology (including transition from 'isolated' to systemic sclerosis-related Raynaud's phenomenon), pathogenesis, diagnosis and assessment are discussed, followed by the treatment of both 'uncomplicated' and 'complicated' Raynaud's phenomena (i.e. Raynaud's phenomenon which has progressed to digital ulceration and/or critical ischaemia). Finally, some of the major challenges for the next 5-10 years are highlighted.

Barriers to frostbite treatment at an academic medical center

The treatment of frostbite injuries has undergone a radical change over the past decade with a shift from supportive therapy and observation towards early and aggressive medical intervention with thrombolytics and vasodilators. Institutions that have implemented evidence-based protocols have significantly decreased their amputation rates (Bruen et al., 2007; Lindford et al., 2017a; Twomey et al., 2005). We present the case of a middle-aged male treated for frostbite of multiple fingers on both hands. Because there was no treatment protocol at our institution, there were multiple delays in the patient's care including imaging and initiation of intravenous (IV) prostanoids. This case illustrates the deleterious effects of delays in treatment and strongly suggests that all facilities located in areas of cold exposure should have protocols in place for such an occurrence.