title: [Anti-inflammatory effects of pentoxifylline: importance in cardiac surgery].
abstract: Initially introduced as a rheologic agent for use in intermittent claudication due to peripheral artery disease and in ischemic cerebrovascular disease, the methylxanthine derivative pentoxifylline (PTX) has been shown to possess several anti-inflammatory properties which make this drug an interesting immunomodulating adjunct for the management of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. As an unspecific phosphodiesterase inhibitor PTX ameliorates the inflammatory response following a septic stimulus and blunts organ dysfunction after ischemia-reperfusion injury. Apart from this several small clinical studies have shown that the use of PTX may blunt the inflammatory response induced by cardiac surgery using a cardiopulmonary bypass. Additionally it has been shown that the perioperative application of this drug may improve postoperative function of organs at risk, such as the kidneys and liver.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Thorax- und Herz-Gefässchirurgie, Universitätskliniken des Saarlandes, Kirrbergerstr., 66421, Homburg/Saar, Deutschland. medicine@groesdonk.net
authors.forename: H V
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Groesdonk
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heringlake
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Heinze
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D018805:Sepsis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D010431:Pentoxifylline