EFFECTS OF PENTOXIFYLLINE (TRENTAL) ON BLOOD-FLOW, VISCOSITY, AND OXYGEN-TRANSPORT IN YOUNG-ADULTS WITH INOPERABLE CYANOTIC CONGENITAL HEART-DISEASE

Four polycythemic young adults with inoperable cyanotic congenital hea rt disease were treated for 12 weeks with 20 mg/kg/day of pentoxifylli ne in an attempt to increase pulmonary blood flow by improving red blo od cell demorability and decreasing whole blood viscosity. Treatment c aused a rise in mean arterial oxygen saturation from 75-82%, a fall in the mean oxygen extraction coefficient from 47-40%, and a fall in mea n oxygen consumption from 186-169 ml/min/m2. Pentoxifylline decreased whole blood, but not plasma, viscosity at all hematocrits over a range of shear rates. Two patients had significant bleeding episodes during treatment.