Effects of pentoxifylline in patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy: A randomized, double-blind, controlled pilot trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) is a major public health issue in endemic areas of Latin America, representing one of the leading causes of heart failure and sudden death. The hallmark histopathological lesion of CCC is low-intensity, persistent myocarditis associated with cytokine production. Long-term use of pentoxifylline (PTX) may serve as an effective pharmacological intervention for immunomodulation, reducing inflammation and, consequently, diminishing myocardial perfusion abnormalities and thus preserving left ventricular systolic function.

Methods

We investigated 38 patients with CCC, randomly assigned to PTX (n = 19), 400 mg 3 times a day for 6 months, or placebo (PLC) (n = 19). At baseline and post-treatment, patients underwent cytokine measurements,

SUBMITTER: Martins KSM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12558611 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature