AKRON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

FDA-Approved Frostbite Drug Iloprost Shows Zero Amputation Rate in Clinical Use at Ohio Hospitals

- Akron Children's Hospital is among the first U.S. institutions using iloprost (Aurlumyn), the first FDA-approved drug for severe frostbite treatment, with zero amputations needed in patients who received the medication. - The drug provides a 72-hour treatment window compared to 24 hours for traditional clot-busting therapies, opening blood vessels and reducing platelet aggregation to restore circulation in frostbitten tissue. - Clinical data shows dramatic improvement in outcomes, with success rates climbing from 60-70% to 80-90%, while 60% of patients not receiving iloprost required amputation. - Only about 30 U.S. hospitals currently use the medication, which costs $5,500 per vial and is administered intravenously over five days with six-hour daily infusions.