This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Hsu, C. Y. Articles by Karp, H. R. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Hsu, C. Y. Articles by Karp, H. R.

Stroke, Vol 19, 716-722, Copyright © 1988 by American Heart Association

ARTICLES

Pentoxifylline in acute nonhemorrhagic stroke. A randomized, placebo- controlled double-blind trial

CY Hsu, JW Norris, EL Hogan, P Bladin, HB Dinsdale, FM Yatsu, MP Earnest, P Scheinberg, LR Caplan and HR Karp
Department of Neurology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425.

The efficacy and safety of pentoxifylline were assessed in 297 adult patients with ischemic stroke in a multicenter, double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial. Treatment was started within 12 hours after the stroke onset. Study medication was administered intravenously continuously (16 mg/kg/day, maximum 1,200 mg/day) for 3 days and per os (400 mg t.i.d.) for the remainder of 28 days. Demographic data were comparable, and functional impairment and mortality (pentoxifylline 12%, placebo 10%) were not different between the two groups. Neurologic deficit scores improved from baseline admission scores during the 4-week study in both groups but did not differ between groups at admission or throughout the study except during the first few days when the consciousness level (Days 1 and 2), motor function (Days 1 and 2), cranial nerve function (Days 1-4), and total neurologic deficit scores (Days 1 and 2) were better in the pentoxifylline group than in the placebo group, especially in a subset of patients with severe deficits at admission. Laboratory values and side effects were also comparable between groups. Our study indicates that pentoxifylline can be given safely in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Although pharmacologic effects were present during the first few days, the clinical benefits were small and not sustained.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				H. P. Adams Jr, G. del Zoppo, M. J. Alberts, D. L. Bhatt, L. Brass, A. Furlan, R. L. Grubb, R. T. Higashida, E. C. Jauch, C. Kidwell, et al. Guidelines for the Early Management of Adults With Ischemic Stroke: A Guideline From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Stroke Council, Clinical Cardiology Council, Cardiovascular Radiology and Intervention Council, and the Atherosclerotic Peripheral Vascular Disease and Quality of Care Outcomes in Research Interdisciplinary Working Groups: The American Academy of Neurology affirms the value of this guideline as an educational tool for neurologists. Circulation, May 22, 2007; 115(20): e478 - e534. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. P. Adams Jr, G. del Zoppo, M. J. Alberts, D. L. Bhatt, L. Brass, A. Furlan, R. L. Grubb, R. T. Higashida, E. C. Jauch, C. Kidwell, et al. Guidelines for the Early Management of Adults With Ischemic Stroke: A Guideline From the American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association Stroke Council, Clinical Cardiology Council, Cardiovascular Radiology and Intervention Council, and the Atherosclerotic Peripheral Vascular Disease and Quality of Care Outcomes in Research Interdisciplinary Working Groups: The American Academy of Neurology affirms the value of this guideline as an educational tool for neurologists Stroke, May 1, 2007; 38(5): 1655 - 1711. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. S. Weaver, J. Leonardi-Bee, F. J. Bath-Hextall, and P. M.W. Bath Sample Size Calculations in Acute Stroke Trials: A Systematic Review of Their Reporting, Characteristics, and Relationship With Outcome Stroke, May 1, 2004; 35(5): 1216 - 1224. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Uchino, D. Billheimer, and S. C. Cramer Entry Criteria and Baseline Characteristics Predict Outcome in Acute Stroke Trials Stroke, April 1, 2001; 32(4): 909 - 916. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. W. Duncan, H. S. Jorgensen, and D. T. Wade Outcome Measures in Acute Stroke Trials : A Systematic Review and Some Recommendations to Improve Practice Stroke, June 1, 2000; 31(6): 1429 - 1438. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Davis and D. Barer Neuroprotection in acute ischaemic stroke. II: Clinical potential Vascular Medicine, August 1, 1999; 4(3): 149 - 163. [Abstract] [PDF]