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.