Gastroenterology
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Pentoxifylline does not decrease short-term mortality but does reduce complications in patients with advanced cirrhosis.
Pentoxifylline, an inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, is given to patients with liver diseases, but its effects in patients with advanced cirrhosis are unknown. We performed a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of its effects in patients with cirrhosis. ⋯ Although pentoxifylline does not decrease short-term mortality in patients with advanced cirrhosis, it does reduce the risk of complications.