PENTOXIFYLLINE DECREASES THE INCIDENCE OF MULTIPLE ORGAN FAILURE IN PATIENTS AFTER MAJOR CARDIO-THORACIC SURGERY

Abstract

We assessed the safety and efficacy of intravenous pentoxifylline [3,7-dimethyl-1-(5-oxohexyl)-xanthine] in patients at risk for developing multiple organ failure after major cardio-thoracic surgery in a single-center, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Of 816 consecutive patients who underwent major cardio-thoracic surgery, 40 who had Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score values ≥19 at the first postoperative day after the surgery were included. Patients were randomized to receive either placebo (control; n = 25) or intravenous pentoxifylline treatment (pentoxifylline; n = 15) at a dosage of 1.5 mg/kg/h as an adjunct to standard supportive therapy. Main outcome measurements were duration of required ventilator support, intensive care unit stay, and incidence of renal failure. Thirty-seven patients were eligible for evaluation. No significant adverse events related to pentoxifylline treatment were observed. The duration of mechanical ventilation was significantly greater for control patients (8.3 ± 3.1 days) compared with pentoxifylline-treated patients (3.1 ± .9 days; p p