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Pentoxifylline in hepatopulmonary syndrome.
World J Gastroenterol. 2012 Sep 21;18(35):4912-6
Authors: Kianifar HR, Khalesi M, Mahmoodi E, Afzal Aghaei M
Abstract
AIM: To determine the effects of pentoxifylline (PTX) on clinical manifestations and evaluate arterial blood gas data in hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) in children.
METHODS: In a pilot study of 10 children with chronic liver disease, who had HPS, 20 mg/kg/d PTX was administered for 3 mo. Clinical data and arterial blood gas parameters were evaluated at baseline, the end of the treatment period, and 3 mo after drug discontinuation.
RESULTS: Six patients could tolerate PTX, while four patients experienced complications. Among patients who could tolerate PTX, there was a significant increase in arterial oxygen pressure (PaO(2)) (P = 0.02) and oxygen saturation (SaO(2)) (P = 0.04) and alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient (P = 0.02) after 3 mo of treatment. Significant decreases in PaO(2) (P = 0.02) and alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient (P = 0.02) were also seen after drug discontinuation.
CONCLUSION: PTX may improve PaO(2), SaO(2) and alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient in the early stage of HPS.
PMID: 23002364 [PubMed - in process]