Platelet aggregation in septic shock. Effect of pentoxifylline.

In contrast to normal individuals, patients suffering from adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to septic shock had increased platelet aggregation and circulatory platelet aggregates in blood. In vitro incubation with pentoxifylline (Trental) decreases platelet aggregates. This suggests that in addition to its platelet aggregation inhibitory effect, it also causes platelet disaggregation. Platelet aggregate patterns were shown to normalize two weeks after clinical recovery.