ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Otorinolaringologia 2008 December;58(4):159-64

Copyright © 2008 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Efficacy of sulodexide in the treatment of patients with the vascular vertigo syndromes

Panu F., Manca T., Cauli S., Sechi S., Proto E.

Struttura Complessa di Otorinolaringoiatria Presidio Ospedaliero S. Giovanni di Dio Dipartimento di Chirurgia Generale e Scienze Odontostomatologiche Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italia

Aim. Dysfunctions in arterial vascularization are of major importance in otoneurology as they may underlie the vascular vertigo syndromes. Correct diagnostic work-up will include blood chemistry and diagnostic studies that will guide the choice of the most appropriate therapy. Antithrombotic drugs such as sulodexide, which act on vessel endothelium and exert an antithrombic and pro-fibrinolytic effect, have proved useful in the treatment of the vascular vertigo syndromes. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical efficacy of sulodexide in patients with the vascular vertigo syndromes.
Methods. The study population was inpatients at our institute who presented with repeated episodes of positional instability and rotating vertigo of unknown origin and met at least three criteria for cardiovascular risk and at least one criterion at diagnostic assessment. Therapy was oral sulodexide 250 LSU/bid for 2 months. Efficacy was measured according to changes in symptoms and clinical presentation.
Results. Sulodexide treatment significantly reduced vertigo symptoms in patients categorized by degree of impairment and by cardiovascular risk.
Conclusion. Sulodexide in the treatment of vascular vertigo may be considered as a therapy of first choice thanks to its efficacy, rapid onset of action, optimal compliance and scarce side effects.