Almitrine bismesylate treatment in patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and moderate chronic respiratory failure. Open prospective multicentre trial

The efficacy and safety of almitrine bismesylate treatment was assessed in COPD patients in 6 month open prospective multicentre trial. 77 COPD patients with moderate hypoxemia were included (males / females — 57 / 20, mean age 63.2 ± 9.7 years; mean FEV1 0.95 ± 0.38 L, mean PaO₂ 63.3 ± 5.4 mmHg, mean PaСO₂ 44.1 ± 7.3 mmHg). We used an intermittent regime of almitrine administration: 1 mg / kg / day, for 3 months, then a "window" of 1 month, and again active therapy for 2 months. Almitrine therapy resulted in improvement of РаО2: rise after 1 month to 71.5 ± 10.6 mmHg, after 3 month — to 70.3 ± 8.3 mmHg, and after 6 month — to 72.5 ± 14.2 mmHg (р < 0.001). There was a significant fall in dyspnea during daily life activities (MRC score): from 3.5 ± 0.9 to 3.0 ± 0.9 (1 month), 2.8 ± 0.9 (3 month), 2.6 ± 0.7 (6 month) (р < 0.001). The distance during 6 minute walk test (6 MWT) increased from 334 ± 108 m to 371 ± 101 m (1 month), 377 ± 88 m (3 month), 398 ± 104 m (6 month) (р < 0.001). The levels of desaturation and Borg dyspnea score during 6 MWT significantly decreased (both р < 0.001). During almitrine treatment an improvement in almost all domains of SF 36 quality of life questionnaire was noted. 58 COPD patients completed the study. The most common adverse effects were parasthesia (6.4 %) and worsening of dyspnea (5 %), pulmonary artery pressure did not change during study.
Conclusions: almitrine treatment in COPD patients with moderate hypoxemia resulted in improvement of arterial oxygenation, reduction of dyspnea during daily life activities and exercise, increase of physical capacity and improvement of health related quality of life.

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