Overview of the Study
This study focused on patients with acyanotic shunt congenital heart disease (CHD) who often develop pulmonary hypertension (PH) by adulthood. The goal was to see if cilostazol, a specific medication, could improve heart function and overall fitness in these patients.
Study Design
The research was conducted at Dr. Kariadi Hospital in Semarang, Indonesia, from March 2022 to March 2023. Patients aged 14 to 75 were divided into two groups: one received cilostazol and the other received a placebo (a non-active pill). The treatment lasted for three months.
Key Findings
- The distance walked in six minutes (6MWT) was similar in both groups, indicating no significant improvement in overall fitness.
- VO2 max (a measure of fitness) also showed no significant difference between the two groups.
- However, 90% of patients taking cilostazol reported an improvement in their functional class compared to only 30% in the placebo group.
Implications for Healthcare
Cilostazol has the potential to improve the quality of life for patients with acyanotic shunt CHD and PH, particularly in terms of functional ability, even if overall fitness measurements did not show significant changes.
Future Steps
Further research with larger groups is needed to confirm these findings and better understand cilostazol’s benefits.
Opportunities for Clinics and Patients
Clinics can set measurable goals to track improvements in patient functional class and explore the use of cilostazol in treatment plans for similar patients.
Using AI in Clinical Practice
AI tools can be implemented to monitor patient outcomes and streamline processes based on research findings from this trial. Start with pilot projects to evaluate effectiveness.
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