Treatment of vascular retinal disease with pentoxifylline: a controlled, randomized trial

Angiology. 2002 Jan-Feb:53 Suppl 1:S31-4.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of PXF (1800 mg daily) in patients with sudden loss of vision (SLV) in a 4-week trial, evaluating clinical outcome and retinal flow parameters. Inclusion criteria were SLV associated with thrombosis of the retinal artery; decrease in retinal blood flow (PSF: peak-systolic flow; EDF: end-diastolic flow velocity) and asymmetry between the two retinal arteries (>40%) documented by duplex scanning. All 10 included patients completed the study. The groups were comparable. No side effects were reported. A significant improvement in flow velocity (p<0.05) and a decrease in analogue score in both groups were observed. PSF increase was 550% in the PXF group vs 288% in the placebo group (262% difference). EDF increase was 400% in the PXF group vs 200% in the placebo group (200% difference). There was a significant difference in the analogue score decrease (33.3% difference larger in the PXF group; p<0.05). In conclusion, PXF treatment improved retinal flow after retinal artery occlusion better than placebo and should be considered as an important option in this condition.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Blood Flow Velocity / drug effects
  • Blood Flow Velocity / physiology
  • Female
  • Hemorheology / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pentoxifylline / therapeutic use*
  • Retinal Artery / drug effects
  • Retinal Artery / physiopathology
  • Retinal Artery Occlusion / drug therapy*
  • Retinal Artery Occlusion / physiopathology*
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vascular Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Vascular Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Vasodilator Agents / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Vasodilator Agents
  • Pentoxifylline