[Acute changes in global and regional systolic heart function caused by pentoxifylline in patients with and without...

In 36 patients with angina pectoris during complex invasive diagnostic procedure the changes of global and regional systolic heart function by intravenous application of 200 mg pentoxifylline were examined. We observed a significant decrease of preload (reduction of LVEDP and MCS, LVEDV was not influenced) and an improvement of myocardial pump function, possibly combined with a favourable influence on alterated myocardial blood supply. In case of perfusion disturbances of the LV anterior wall the pentoxifylline injection was followed by signs of coronary-steal-mechanism in the LV posterior wall region. We did not found significant changes of afterload. Thus the acute hemodynamic effects of an intravenous application of pentoxifylline are comparable with those of nitrates and non-glycoside-cardiotonic substances with a predominant myocardial effect.