Iloprost in Gas Exchange/Pulm Mechanics in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (Iloprost)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Pulmonary Hypertension
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease focused on measuring chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary hypertension
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- FEV1 < 65% of predicted and FEV1 to FVC ratio < 70%
- Baseline PAO2 while stable between 60-75 mmHg and
- The ability to provide informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
- Clinical instability as evidenced by an acute exacerbation requiring an intensification of therapy and/or the need for hospitalization with the preceding 3 months.
- Presence of an additional cause of lung disease as suggested by history, clinical or radiographic findings, or pulmonary function tests
- Presence of left ventricular dysfunction and/or left atrial enlargement by echo, ECHO or catheterization
- Heparin allergy
- Pregnancy or breast feeding
Sites / Locations
- University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Experimental
1
This study will examine the hypothesis that iloprost maintains and improves ventilation perfusion matching in patients with COPD as reflected by 1) a constant or reduced alveolar to arterial O2 difference as calculated from the measured arterial blood gases obtained before and after iloprost administration, 2) an improvement in the lung diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide that occurs in the absence of a change in spirometry, 3) an improvement in the ventilatory equivalent for oxygen and CO2 measured by expired gas analysis. It is anticipated that a positive result in this pilot study would lead to a larger long-term study examining the effect of iloprost on gas exchange, exercise tolerance and quality of life in patients with COPD.