Ticlopidine—Pentoxifylline Combination in the Treatment of Atherosclerosis and the Prevention of Cerebrovascular Accidents

Abstract

This randomized, double-blind study on 79 patients reported the efficacy of ticlopidine–pentoxifylline combination in the treatment of atherosclerosis and the prevention of cerebrovascular accidents. Comparisons were made with aspirin–dipyridamole–buflomedil and buflomedil–placebo combinations as controls. Global symptoms, sensorimotor disorders and vertigo were improved in all treatment groups, although improvement tended to be more pronounced with ticlopidine–pentoxifylline. None of the groups showed any change in stenosis or vessel wall rigidity although ticlopidine–pentoxifylline reduced flow irregularity. This combination therapy also normalized the direction of flow in the ophthalmic artery in 46.2% of patients with retrograde flow prior to treatment, compared with 30.0% following aspirin–dipyridamole–buflomedil and 28.6% following buflomedil–placebo administration. Significantly fewer cerebrovascular accidents occurred after treatment with ticlopidine–pentoxifylline. In conclusion, ticlopidine–pentoxifylline showed good therapeutic efficacy against atherosclerosis and a preventative effect against new cerebrovascular accidents. This therapy was well tolerated.