Abstract

Vasodilators are disappointing in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease. There is little evidence that they either increase blood flow or improve symptoms.¹ Oxpentifylline (Trental - Hoechst) is a dimethyl xanthine related to caffeine, theobromine and theophylline. It is a weak vasodilator, but the maker claims that it also reduces blood viscosity which is increased in patients with peripheral vascular disease.^{2 3}