The effect of pentoxifylline ('Trental') on cerebral blood flow: a double-blind study

A double-blind, placebo controlled crossover study was carried out in 20 geriatric patients with cerebrovascular insufficiency ot asses the effect of pentoxifylline on cerebral blood flow. Using 99m Tc cerebral scinitigraphy and a gamma comera/computer system, the pattern of blood flow in 5 brain areas was manitored after a single intravenous infusion of 200 mg pentoxifylline (10 ml) and after 10 ml saline solution. The results showed that, with the exception of one brain area, there was a statistically significant increase both in regional and hemispheric cerebral blood flow after pentoxifylline. It is of particular interst that global hemispheric blood flow, which gives an indication of total blood supply to the brain, showed approximately the same percentage increase on both sides with pentoxifylline.