Effect of sulodexide on blood viscosity in patients with peripheral vascular disease.

Thirty patients with Stage II peripheral vascular disease were treated with sulodexide, a new, medium molecular weight glycosaminoglycan, and placebo using a double-blind, crossover study design. After a 1-month wash-out period, patients were treated for 1 month with one or other trial medication and then crossed over to the alternative preparation for a further month. Measurements were made at baseline and at the end of each treatment period of serum, plasma and whole blood viscosities (at various shear rates), fibrinogen levels and red cell filterability. Tolerance parameters were also assessed at the same times. The results showed that there were statistically significant reductions in plasma and whole blood viscosity and in fibrinogen levels after sulodexide, but not after placebo. Neither treatment had any marked effect on red blood cell filterability. Local and systemic tolerance of the treatment was excellent, and some patients reported an improvement in symptoms whilst they were taking sulodexide; this, however, could not be quantified in this study. It is suggested that the viscosity and fibrinogen reducing effect of sulodexide make it a useful form of treatment in patients with atheromatous vascular diseases of the lower limbs.