Systemic sclerosis & Raynaud's
Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, but not calcium channel blockers, improve peripheral vascular function in systemic sclerosis
Authors' conclusion
Acute CCB usage does not affect peripheral vascular function or haemodynamic outcomes in patients with SSc, whereas acute PDE5i usage results in lower diastolic blood pressure and greater FMD.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc)
- Participants
- 119 patients
- Exposure
- SSc patients grouped by cardiovascular-acting medication use within the previous 24 hours (none, CV meds, CV meds + calcium channel blocker (CCB), CV meds + PDE5i)
- Outcome
- Flow-mediated dilation (FMD)
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
FMD
CV Meds+CCB vs No CV Meds: P > 0.05 · CV Meds+PDE5i vs CV Meds: P < 0.05
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Diastolic blood pressure — CV Meds+PDE5i vs No CV Meds · PDE5i lower diastolic BP
P < 0.05
| Outcome | No CV Meds | CV Meds | CV Meds+CCB | CV Meds+PDE5i | P value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FMD with vs without CCB in previous 24 h, repeat visits (subset n=17) | — not stated in the abstract | — not stated in the abstract | 7.7 (SD 6.6) | — not stated in the abstract | P > 0.05 |
— not stated in the abstract
- Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) with vs without CCB in previous 24 h, repeat visits (subset n=17): no CCB 6.7 (SD 3.4)
Diastolic blood pressure
- Other clinical CV outcomes unaffected by acute CV-acting medications
Original publication
Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, but not calcium channel blockers, improve peripheral vascular function in systemic sclerosis. Clin Exp Rheumatol. Published 6 January 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →