A Controlled Study on the Effect of Pentoxifylline and an Ergot Alkaloid Derivative on Regional Cerebral Blood Flow in Patients with Chronic Cerebrovascular Disease
Available accessResearch articleFirst published online May, 1988
A Controlled Study on the Effect of Pentoxifylline and an Ergot Alkaloid Derivative on Regional Cerebral Blood Flow in Patients with Chronic Cerebrovascular Disease
Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in 90 patients with CBF decreased due to vascular diseases was studied by using the xenon 133 inhalation technique and a 32-detector setup. Whereas 30 patients received their standard basic ther apy only and were regarded as controls, 30 others received 3 x 2 mg/day of an ergot alkaloid (co-dergocrine mesylate), and 30 others received 3 x 400 mg pen toxifylline (slow-release formulation)/day orally. Therapy was performed for eight weeks and CBF measured before start of treatment, after a four-week treatment period, and at the end of the study. CBF did not change significantly in the control group; both the pentoxifylline and the ergot alkaloid group pre sented with a significant increase in the CBF. This positive effect was signifi cantly more pronounced in the pentoxifylline group and affected more ischemic than other brain tissues. In addition, symptoms like sleep disturbances, vertigo, and tinnitus improved significantly during the pentoxifylline observation peri od.
References
1.
Herrschaft H.: Die Regionale Hirndurchblutung. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, Springer Verlag, 1975.
2.
Schmid-Schoenbein H.: Macrorheology and microrheology of blood in cerebrovascular insufficiency. EuropNeurol22(S1):1-22, 1983.
3.
Schmid-Schoenbein H.: Blood rheology and physiology of microcirculation . Ric Clin Lab11(S.1):13, 1981.
4.
Chien S.: Hemorheology: Its clinical implication. Vasc Med1:123, 1983.
5.
DiPerri T., Guerrini M., Laghi Pasini F.: Haemorheological changes associated with acute and chronic cerebrovascular disease. In: Clinical Haemorheology: A New Approach to Cerebrovascular Disease, ed. by Gotoh F, Lechner H. Royal Soc Med Services Intern Congr & Symp Series No. 100:33-46, 1986.
6.
Marcel GA: Red cell deformability: Physiological, clinical and pharmacological aspects . J Med10:409-418, 1979.
7.
Ehrly AM: The effect of pentoxifylline on the deformability of erythrocytes and on muscular oxygen pressure in patients with chronic arterial disease. J Med10:331, 1979.
8.
Ott E., Lechner H., Fazekas F.: Hemorrheological effects of pentoxifylline on disturbed flow behaviour in patients with cerebrovascular insufficiency. EuropNeurol22(S.1):105-107, 1983.
9.
Heilmann E., Zimmermann B., Gruss P.: Effect of pentoxifylline in hypercoagulability in patients with polycythemia vera. IRCS Med Sci10:594, 1982.
10.
Seiffge D., Kiesewetter H.: Effect of pentoxifylline on single red cell deformability. Klin Wschr59:1271-1272, 1981.
11.
Seiffge D.: Effect of pentoxifylline on red cell aggregation (RCA). IRCS Med Sci8:727, 1982.
12.
Müller R., Lehrach F.: Haemorheological role of platelet aggregation and hypercoagulability in microcirculation: Therapeutic approach with pentoxifylline. Pharmatherapeutica2:372-379, 1980.
13.
Weithmann KU : Reduced platelet aggregation by pentoxifylline-stimulated prostacyclin release. VASA10:249-252, 1981.
14.
Weichert W. , Breddin HK: Antithrombotic effects of acetylsalicylic acid (AS) and pentoxifylline in laser-induced thrombosis in rat mesenteric vessels. VASA14:280-284, 1985.
15.
Müller R., Lehrach F.: Haemorheology and cerebrovascular disease. Multifunctional approach with pentoxifylline . Curr Med Res Opin7:253-263, 1981.
16.
Schröer R.: Antithrombotic potential of pentoxifylline—a hemorheologically active drug. Angiology36:387-398, 1985.
17.
Hartmann A. : Effect of pentoxifylline on regional cerebral blood flow in patients with cerebral vascular disorders. EuropNeurol22(S1):108-115, 1983.
18.
Obrist WD, Thompson HK, Wang HS, et al: Regional cerebral blood flow estimated by xenon inhalation. Stroke6:245-256, 1975.
19.
Risberg J., Ali Z., Wills EL, et al: Regional cerebral blood flow by xenon 133 inhalation: Preliminary evaluation of an initial slope index in patients with unstable flow compartment . Stroke6:142-148, 1975.
20.
Hartmann A. , Kummer R von: Die atraumatische Messung der regionalen Gehirndurchblutung. Methodik und Zuverlässigkeitsprüfung. Fortschr NeurolPsychiat51:57-68, 1983.
21.
Schultheiss R., Leuwer R., Leniger-Follert E., et al: Tissue pO 2 of human brain cortex—method, basic results and effects of pentoxifylline . Angiology38:221-225, 1987.
