effects of pentoxifylline on oxygenation and exercise tolerance in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

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