Pentoxifylline improves circulatory and metabolic recovery after cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
BACKGROUND
To evaluate the effectiveness of a bolus application of pentoxifylline (PTXF) at the beginning of CPR in a standardized resuscitation animal model.


RESULTS
In a laboratory model of cardiac arrest, 12 Wistar rats (382-413 g) were randomized into two groups. Both groups underwent 4 min of cardiopulmonary arrest induced by a transthoracic application of a fibrillating current of 10 mA. At the beginning of CPR, group one (n=6) received a bolus injection of 10 mg kg(-1) body weight PTXF versus sodium chloride in group two (controls: n=6). All animals developed a severe lactate acidosis during and after CPR but in PTXF treated animals acid-base values returned to baseline pattern. During return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in the PTXF group lactate concentration decreased from 13.4+/-2.1 to 1.9+/-0.7 mmol l(-1) within 60 min (P<0.01). In control animals, lactate values remained high (10.8+/-3.5 by 60 min, P<0.01). After bolus injection of PTXF pH increased from 6.93+/-0.06 to 7.29+/-0.13 within 60 min of ROSC versus 6.85+/-0.05 to 6.97+/-0.23 in sodium chloride treated animals (P<0.01). Within 5 min of ROSC, PTXF treated animals achieved higher oxygenation values (PTXF P(a)O(2)=216.9+/-62.5 mmHg, control 132. 2+/-15.1 mmHg, P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Administration of PTXF at the beginning of CPR improved macrocirculation, acid-base status and arterial oxygenation.
Bahlmann
L
L
Department of Anesthesiology, University Medical School, Ratzeburger Allee 160, D-23538, Lübeck, Germany. ludgerbahlmann@hotmail.com
Pagel
H
H
Klaus
S
S
Heringlake
M
M
Schmucker
P
P
Wagner
K
K
D000137:Acid-Base Imbalance / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D000140:Acidosis, Lactic / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000818:Animals; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000379:methods*; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy
D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D010431:Pentoxifylline