Therapeutic potentials of pentoxifylline for treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Abstract

Pentoxifylline (PTXF), a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, has been investigated for close to two decades because of its primary pharmacological actions on hemorheology and other anti-inflammatory effects. Several studies have been conducted to investigate the effects and mechanisms of PTXF in ischemic injury, peripheral vascular disease and heart failure. The present article is intended to emphasize the therapeutic potentials of PTXF in different types of cardiovascular diseases, focusing on the mechanisms of its pharmacological actions.