E. Eleftheriadis et al., Modulation of intravariceal pressure with pentoxifylline: A possible new approach in the treatment of portal hypertension, AM J GASTRO, 93(12), 1998, pp. 2431-2435
Objective: In this study the effect of the hemorheological agent pentoxifyl
line on the pressure of esophageal varices was investigated in portal hyper
tensive cirrhotic patients, Methods: Intravariceal pressure was measured en
doscopically using the direct puncture technique in 20 patients. Measuremen
ts were obtained under baseline conditions and 30 min after double-blind ad
ministration of pentoxifylline (1.4 mg/kg BW, n = 10 patients) or an indent
ical volume of NaCl 0.9% solution (n = 10 patients). Results: Under baselin
e conditions, intravariceal pressure was similar in pentoxifyiline and plac
ebo groups (17.3 +/- 5.5 mm Hg vs 18.8 +/- 4.6 mm Hg, respectively; p = N.S
.), Placebo administration had no significant effect on intravariceal press
ure (18.8 +/- 4.6 mm Hg vs 18.3 +/- 4.1 mm Hg; p = N.S.), In contrast, pent
oxifylline caused a highly significant reduction of intravariceal pressure,
(from 17.3 +/- 5.5 mm Hg to 11.4 +/- 5.9 mm Hg; p = 0.0001), the overall m
ean reduction being 36.1 +/- 14.1% mm Hg, Conclusions: We concluded that pe
ntoxifylline, by reducing blood flow viscosity, caused a significant decrea
se in variceal pressure in patients suffering from portal hypertension. (C)
1998 by Am. Coll. of Gastroenterology.