Introduction: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are significantly elevated in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). Pentoxifylline, a xanthin-derived agent, is known to inhibit the production of TNF-alpha and IL-6. Recent studies have shown that pentoxifylline produces an increase in ejection fraction, a decrease in left-ventricular chamber size and an improvement in clinical status in patients with idiopathic-dilated cardiomyopathy. Therefore, we studied the effects of pentoxifylline in ischemic, hypertensive and idiopathic-dilated cardiomyopathy.
Methods: Primary endpoint was left-ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) assessed by contrast 2D echocardiography. Secondary endpoints were concentrations of TNF-alpha, IL-6, brain natriuretic peptide, maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2 max)) assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise testing and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire score or New York Heart Association scale.
Results: Forty-seven patients (31.9% ischemic, 21.3% hypertensive, 10.6% ischemic and hypertensive, 36.2% idiopathic-dilated cardiomyopathy) were randomly assigned to pentoxifylline 600 mg BID (n=23) or placebo (n=24) if they had a compensated CHF with a LVEF less than or equal to 40% and had taken their standard treatment consisting of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, diuretics and beta-blockers for at least 3 months. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of each group were similar. Forty-one patients completed the study protocol and were analysed for primary and secondary endpoints. After 6 months of treatment, LVEF was unchanged in the pentoxifylline group compared with placebo (29+/-7 to 33+/-10% vs. 27+/-9 to 34+/-9%, respectively, P=NS). Also the secondary endpoints did not significantly change during follow-up.
Conclusion: Additional treatment with pentoxifylline is neutral with regard to left-ventricular function, inflammatory cytokines and symptoms in patients with ischemic, hypertensive and idiopathic-dilated cardiomyopathy.