Clinical investigation of the effects of pentoxifylline in patients with severe peripheral occlusive vascular disease.

Pentoxifylline was used in the treatment of 90 patients with atherosclerosis-induced chronic peripheral arterial occlusive disease and diabetic vascular disorders in the lower extremities (clinical Fontaine Stages III and IV) for whom surgical reconstructive treatment was not indicated and who had shown inadequate response to previous therapy. In 20 initially hospitalized patients, treatment was started with pentoxifylline intravenous infusions for 1 week (increased gradually from 500 mg to 1000 mg per day) and afterwards continued for a further 8 weeks by oral administration of the drug (400 mg 3-times daily). In 70 patients, oral treatment (400 mg 2 to 3-times daily) was carried out from the beginning for 3 to 6 months or longer. The majority (74%) of the patients showed good or very good results in respect of the clinical parameters. Pentoxifylline abolished or decreased rest pain and consumption of analgesic drugs, accelerated healing of leg ulcers, produced a statistically significant increase in mean pain-free walking distance (approximately 500%) and reduced concomitant symptoms. Definite improvement was achieved in 16 patients with initial intravenous treatment and in 62 patients on oral therapy alone. Haemodynamic measurements, as well as whole blood viscosity assessment using a middle and high shear rate viscosimeter, revealed only small and insignificant improvements. No essential changes could be found in the chemical blood parameters studied.