[New treatments for Raynaud's syndrome]

Abstract

Raynaud's phenomenon, either idiopathic or secondary is often severe. It is due to a vasospasm in response to cold, and an increase in sympathetic tone, hyperviscosity and sometimes hyperactivation of platelets and erythrocytes have been reported. New drugs have been developed such as ketanserin, which is a specific inhibitor of serotonin S2 receptors, and has led to a positive response in 38%-80% of patients. The prostaglandins PGE1 and PGI2 were given i.v. in refractory patients and led to a beneficial effect in 50%-70% of cases. These data seem to justify the development of prostaglandin analogues.