Favorable cardiovascular effects of theophylline in COPD.

Theophylline has been utilized widely as a bronchodilator. However, recent studies have shown the potential for administering this drug to enhance cardiovascular performance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Administered to COPD patients orally as a sustained-action preparation or intravenously as aminophylline, theophylline enhances both right and left heart systolic pump function and lowers both pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance. These favorable cardiovascular actions suggest an additional use for theophylline in COPD beyond its effects as a bronchodilator.