Objective: To determine the effects of pentoxifylline (Ptx) on exercise tolerance and hypoxemia in patients with severe and very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD).
Design: Randomized double-blind clinical trial
Setting and conduct: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Shahid Faghihi Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Six-minute walk test, dyspnea score, and oxygen saturation by pulse oximeter were performed in eligible patients. They were then randomized to receive Ptx (400 mg TID) or placebo for 12 weeks.
Participants: Twenty eight patients with severe and very severe COPD and pulmonary hypertension.
The inclusion criteria: Severe to very severe COPD according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Diseases (GOLD) criteria [forced expiratory volume in one sec (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) < .7], FEV1 of less than 50% of the relevant predicted values, and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) greater than 40 mmHg by Color Doppler Echocardiography.
Exclusion criteria:
History of myocardial infarction or unstable angina pectoris in the previous month, congestive left heart failure, inability to walk due to musculoskeletal disorders for 6 minutes, symptomatic peripheral vascular disorders, systolic blood pressure more than 180 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure more than 120 mmHg before 6-minute-walk test, significant resting or exertional cardiac dysrhythmias
Intervention: Pentoxyfillin (400 mg TID) or placebo for 12 weeks.
Main outcome measures: Six-minute walk distance, dyspnea score, and oxygen saturation by pulse oximeter