Effects of Pentoxiphylline on Left Ventricular (LV) Systolic Function Indices and Circulating Biomarkers in Patients With Chronic Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

This is a prospective, double blinded randomized clinical study to evaluate the Effects of Pentoxifylline on left ventricular systolic function indices and circulating biomarkers in patients with chronic congestive heart failure. A few studies all focused in Africa have consistently shown marked beneficial effects of pentoxifylline in improvement of left ventricular size and systolic function along with marked decrease in biomarkers of heart failure and apoptosis markers on top of standard CHF therapy. Furthermore pentoxifylline was shown to have negligible effects on heart rate, blood pressure in those studies. Limitations of these studies are that they are largely single center originating in the African subcontinent and have never been tested in the North American population, particularly Caucasians. Despite major advances in medical therapy for congestive heart failure, it is still one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in North America. Most medications tested for improvement of Ejection Fraction with the exception of Beta-Blockers and Ace-Inhibitors have been associated with worsening mortality. Pentoxifylline is a medication that has negligible effects on myocardial oxygen consumption, yet promising effects on inflammatory markers seen in CHF with the possibility of improvement in LV systolic function and symptomology and may prove to be a useful addition for CHF patients. This would prove to be especially useful, particularly when associated with no major side effects.