SPHERIC-1. Sildenafil and Pulmonary HypERtension In COPD

Exclusion Criteria

• •Different types of pulmonary hypertension (chronic, thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary arterial hypertension etc.)
• •Significant left cardiac disease (LVEF \<45%, cardiomyopathy, valvulopathy, unstable coronaropathy)
• •Treatment with nitrates in the last 10 days, or in need of other nitrate therapy for different diseases
• •Treatment with other specific drugs for arterial pulmonary hypertension (less than 4 weeks)
• •Significant systemic disease other than COPD
• •Recent exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (\< 4 weeks)
• •Pregnancy or breastfeeding, or women without an adequate contraceptive method for the whole study duration
• •History of anaphylaxis or allergic reactions to 5-phosphodiesterase inhibitors
• •Cancers within the last 5 years with the exception of localized cancers of the skin or of the cervix
• •Hepatic insufficiency or chronic renal failure or hemoglobinemia \< 10 g/dL during the screening phase
• •Contraindications to subministration as per SPC
• •Mental disorder, alcohol abuse, chronic alcoholism, drug abuse
• •Subjects unable to sign the informed consent form
• •Subjects unable to walk