Efficacy of Pentoxifylline in Patients with Stable Angina Pectoris

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Abstract
Pentoxifylline, a methyl xanthine derivative, improves symptoms of periph eral vascular disease probably by reducing whole blood viscosity. The authors assessed the value of this agent in treating myocardial ischemia in 11 patients with angiographically documented coronary artery disease and stable angina pectoris. Maximal, symptom limited treadmill exercise stress tests were per formed before and after six weeks of therapy with 1200 mg of pentoxifylline per day. Clinical symptoms improved in 9 [82%] of patients; none developed drug side effects. After therapy, mean total exercise time [7.7±1.3 vs 10.1±1.2 min utes], time to onset of angina [5.5 ±0.9 vs 7.9 ±1.0 minutes], heart rate at onset of angina [93.4±6.7 vs 112.0±10.5 beats/min] and rate at onset of ST depres sion [94.0±5.8 vs 115.9±7.4 beats/min] all increased significantly [p < 0.05]. Mean maximum ST segment depression also decreased [1.6±0.3 vs 1.2±0.4 mm], but the difference was not significant. Thus, pentoxifylline increases exer cise performance in patients with angina pectoris and increases exercise capac ity before development of myocardial ischemia. It may, therefore, be a useful agent for treating ischemic heart disease.

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