ABSTRACT
Background: It was hypothesized that the use of Pentoxifylline would increase arterial O2 saturation and increase exercise tolerance in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease [COPD]
Methods: We tested this hypothesis in 23 patients with COPD and pulmonary hypertension. Patients were randomized to receive Pentoxifylline or placebo, each for a 12-week period, in a prospective, double-blind study to assess the effects of Pentoxifylline on oxygen saturation and exercise tolerance via pulse oximetry and the 6-Minute Walk Test [6MWT]
Results: At the end of the 12 weeks, the six-minute walk distance rose from 351.9 +/- 65 meters to 393 +/- 67 meters in the Pentoxifylline group [10 patients] and increased from 328 +/- 79 meters to 353 +/- 66 meters in the placebo group [10 patients] [P=0.142]. Resting oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry changed from 87 +/- 4% to 85 +/- 14% in the Pentoxifylline group and from 88 +/- 3% to 88 +/- 2% in the placebo group [P=0.676]. There were no significant changes in dyspnea severity index and heart rate before and after the 6MWT
Conclusion: Pentoxifylline does not seem to improve exercise capacity and dyspnea in patients with severe and very severe COPD Trial Registration Number: IRCT201202018889N1