[Comparison of caffeine citrate and aminophylline for treating primary apnea in premature infants]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of caffeine citrate and aminophylline in the treatment of primary apnea in premature infants.

METHODS

The clinical data of 125 premature infants with primary apnea from March 2013 to March 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the therapeutic strategy, the patients were divided into caffeine citrate group (n=65) and aminophylline group (n=60). The overall response rates and adverse reaction rates in the two groups were compared.

RESULTS

The overall response rate in the caffeine citrate group was 86% (56 cases), which was significantly higher than that in the aminophylline group (72%, 43 cases) (P<0.05). The adverse reactions in the caffeine citrate group included tachycardia (1 case), restlessness (5 cases), feeding intolerance (7 cases), electrolyte disturbance (2 cases), and high blood glucose (5 cases), the incidence of which was significantly lower than that in the aminophylline group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Caffeine citrate is more effective and causes fewer adverse reactions than aminophylline in the treatment of primary apnea in premature infants.

A multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of aminophylline for bronchiolitis in infants admitted to intensive care

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether aminophylline reduced the duration of respiratory support in children admitted to intensive care with bronchiolitis.

DESIGN

A multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled trial.

SETTING

Paediatric intensive care units in teaching hospitals.

PARTICIPANTS

Forty-five children with severe bronchiolitis.

INTERVENTION

Patients were randomly assigned to receive an infusion of aminophylline (23) or placebo (22). The primary outcome measure was the number of hours of respiratory support required in the 120 hours after randomisation; respiratory support was defined as either nasal continuous positive airways pressure or mechanical ventilation.

RESULTS

The trial was stopped early due to poor recruitment. Respiratory support was required for a median of only 1.5 days (interquartile range [IQR], 0.4-3.5 days) in the aminophylline group compared with 1.9 days (IQR, 0.3-3.5) days in the placebo group. However, more patients in the placebo group were receiving respiratory support at the time of randomisation and, after adjustment for this, there was no suggestion of a beneficial effect of aminophylline among the small number of patients studied (P=0.54, exact log-rank test stratified by respiratory support at the time of randomisation and censored at the time of death in one child in the aminophylline group).

CONCLUSION

Not enough children were recruited for the study to test the hypothesis that aminophylline reduces the need for respiratory support in severe bronchiolitis. Consequently, the role of aminophylline in the management of severe bronchiolitis remains unknown.

Short-term cardiovascular effects of selective phosphodiesterase 3 inhibitor olprinone versus non-selective phosphodiesterase inhibitor aminophylline in a meconium-induced acute lung injury

Various anti-inflammatory drugs have been used for treatment of neonatal meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS). As their adverse effects are poorly described, this study compared effects of selective phosphodiesterase (PDE) 3 inhibitor olprinone and non-selective PDE inhibitor aminophylline on cardiovascular parameters in animal model of MAS. Oxygen-ventilated rabbits were intratracheally instilled 4 mL/kg of meconium (25 mg/mL) or saline. Thirty minutes later, meconium-instilled animals were intravenously given olprinone (0.2 mg/kg) at a single dose at 0.5 h after meconium instillation, or aminophylline (2.0 mg/kg) at two doses at 0.5 and 2.5 h after meconium instillation, or were left without treatment. Cardiovascular changes were evaluated within 5 min of administration and 5 min after finishing the administration. Furthermore, respiratory and cardiovascular parameters were measured within 5 hours following treatment delivery. Oxidation markers (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), and total antioxidant status) and markers of cardiovascular injury (aldosterone, gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)) were determined in the plasma. Meconium instillation induced acute lung injury associated with oxidative stress, elevated aldosterone, and slightly increased GGT and AST levels. Both aminophylline and olprinone improved lung functions and reduced oxidation stress. However, the PDE inhibitors acutely increased blood pressure and heart rate, whereas heart rate variability remained higher till the end of experiment and correlated well with markers of cardiovascular injury. Considering that systemic administration of olprinone and aminophylline was accompanied by acute cardiovascular changes in the meconium-instilled animals, use of PDE inhibitors in the newborns with MAS should be carefully monitored.

Aminophylline for bradyasystolic cardiac arrest in adults

BACKGROUND

In cardiac ischaemia, the accumulation of adenosine may lead to or exacerbate bradyasystole and diminish the effectiveness of catecholamines administered during resuscitation. Aminophylline is a competitive adenosine antagonist. Case studies suggest that aminophylline may be effective for atropine-resistant bradyasystolic arrest.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effects of aminophylline in the treatment of patients in bradyasystolic cardiac arrest, primarily survival to hospital discharge. We also considered survival to admission, return of spontaneous circulation, neurological outcomes and adverse events.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; The Cochrane Library, Issue 4, 2009), MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, LILACS, ClinicalTrials.gov and WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. We checked the reference lists of retrieved articles, reviewed conference proceedings, contacted experts and searched further using Google. The search strategy was updated in March 2012.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All randomised controlled trials comparing intravenous aminophylline with administered placebo in adults with non-traumatic, normothermic bradyasystolic cardiac arrest who were treated with standard advanced cardiac life support (ACLS).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently reviewed the studies and extracted the included data. We contacted study authors when needed. Pooled risk ratio (RR) was estimated for each study outcome. Subgroup analysis was predefined according to the timing of aminophylline administration.

MAIN RESULTS

Five trials are included in this analysis, all of which were performed in the prehospital setting. The risk of bias was low in four of these studies (n = 1186). The trials accumulated 1254 participants. Aminophylline was found to have no effect on survival to hospital discharge (RR 0.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.12 to 2.74) or on secondary survival outcome (survival to hospital admission: RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.61 to 1.39; return of spontaneous circulation: RR 1.15, 95% CI 0.89 to 1.49). Survival was rare (6/1254), making data about neurological outcomes and adverse events quite limited. The planned subgroup analysis for early administration of aminophylline included 37 participants. No one in the subgroup survived to hospital discharge.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The prehospital administration of aminophylline in bradyasystolic arrest is not associated with improved return of circulation, survival to admission or survival to hospital discharge. The benefits of aminophylline administered early in resuscitative efforts are not known.

[Clinical efficacies of inhaled corticosteroids plus theophylline in the treatment of bronchial asthma]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the therapeutic efficacies of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) plus low-dose theophylline for moderate bronchial asthma.

METHODS

A total of 280 patients with moderate bronchial asthma at People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University between January 2011 and December 2011 were recruited and randomized into 2 groups: observation group with inhaled budesonide 400 µg/d plus aminophylline tablet (0.1 g, 3 times/day, oral administration and control group with inhaled budesonide 320 µg/day plus formoterol 9 µg/day. The course of treatment was around 6 months. The forced expiratory volume in one second % predicted (FEV1% predicted), interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and IgE of peripheral blood were compared before and after treatment.

RESULTS

Before and 6 months after treatment, the values of FEV1 % predicted, IL-4, IL-5 and IgE for the observed group were 68% ± 6% and 76% ± 6%, (14.5 ± 4.4) and (7.2 ± 2.6) ng/L, (27.4 ± 6.2) and (24.2 ± 5.9) ng/L, (771 ± 130) × 10(3) and(592 ± 104) × 10(3) U/L, respectively, while those for the control group were 66% ± 8% and 77% ± 6%, (13.7 ± 4.3) and (7.7 ± 4.0) ng/L, (26.9 ± 5.8) and (24.6 ± 4.8) ng/L, (752 ± 154) and (604 ± 122) × 10(3) U/L, respectively. There were significant improvements in both groups (all P < 0.05). No differences existed between two groups (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Compared with ICS plus inhaled long-acting β2-agonists (LABA), ICS plus low-dose theophylline shows similar efficacies in the improvement of lung function and the control of airway inflammation for asthmatics.

[Investigation on pharmacokinetics of aminophylline in very low birth weight infants]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the pharmacokinetics of aminophylline in very low birth weight infant.

METHODS

This study investigated 104 very low birth weight infants using aminophylline 5 mg/kg treating apnea who were hospitalized in our department during 2011-2012. The blood concentration of aminophylline was measured in 30 min before, 8 h and 5 d after first time loading dose, and was counterchecked every week before aminophylline withdrawal. The pharmacokinetic parameters of aminophylline were calculated and population pharmacokinetic model was established by MW/Pharm3.6 statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The average birth weight of these 104 very low birth weight infants was (1.15 +/- 0.23) kg, average gestational age was (31.19 +/- 2.50) weeks. The results of aminophylline pharmacokinetics showed: the plasma clearance was (17.88 +/- 5.61) mL/(kg x h), the apparent volume of distribution was (0.93 +/- 0.18) L/kg, the half life time was (28.6 +/- 7.59) h. The aminophylline plasma clearance was related to creatinine clearance, gestational age and days of age after birth (related coefficient was 0.68, 0.62, 0.56 respectively, P < 0.05),the apparent volume of distribution was related to birth weight (related coefficient was 0.82, P < 0.05). The population pharmacokinetics model established can predict the concentration-time curve of the patients.

CONCLUSION

The pharmacokinetics of aminophylline in very low birth weight infant was quite different from adult, which suggest blood concentration monitoring and dose adjustment for the clinical use of aminophylline in low birth weight infants.

Effects of aminophyllinein preventing renal failure in premature neonates with asphyxia in Isfahan-Iran

OBJECTIVES

Considering the relation between prematurity andasphyxia and also renal failure in neonates, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of aminophyllinein urine and serum indices of renal failure and consequently its prevention, in Premature Infants with asphyxia in Esfahan-lran.

METHODS

In this descriptive clinical trial study, 22 preterm neonates diagnosed with perinatal asphyxia in neonatal ward of Shahid Beheshti hospital, during 2009.The participants were randomized in two intervention and placebo groups. They randomized to receive a single dose of aminophyiline (5 mg/kg) or placebo of 5% dextrose water for injection (5 cc/kg) during the first hour of life. Renal function was assessed by GFR, beta2-microglobulin (beta2M), N-acetyl-glucosaminidase (NAG) serum creatinine and electrolytes level measurement, during the 1st, 4th and 7th day of life, in two studied groups. The results compare between the two groups before and after intervention.

RESULTS

Mean of urine output, was significantly higher in neonates who received aminophylline (P < 0.05).Mean of 132M and NAG 24 hours after intervention was not significant in the two groups of asphyxiated preterm neonates (P > 0.05).GFR was significantly higher in neonates who received aminophylline on 4th day of life (P < 0.05) and it had trend to be significantly high on 7th day (P = 0.05) and was not significantly high on 1st day (P > 0.05) comparing with control group. The most common pathophysiology of renal failure was prerenal.

CONCLUSION

Aminophylline could prevent renal dysfunction in preterm neonates with asphyxia. Neonates who received aminophylin on the first day of life indicated a significant improvement in GFR and urine output.

Aminophylline improves urine flow rates but not survival in childhood oliguric/anuric acute kidney injury

INTRODUCTION

Acute kidney injury (AKI) morbidity and mortality rates remain high. Variable AKI outcomes have been reported in association with aminophylline treatment. This study evaluated AKI outcome in a group of Nigerian children treated with aminophylline.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study of AKI in children treated with (N=9) and without (N=8) aminophylline. Studied outcome indices comprised urine flow rate (UFR), duration of oliguria/anuria, progression through AKI stages, number of patients requiring dialysis and mortality.

RESULTS

Mean ages for the control and aminophylline arms were 4.6±2.7 and 4.9±2.1 years (P=0.7), respectively. All patients progressed to stage-3 AKI. Baseline median UFRs in the aminophylline and control arms were similar (0.13 Vs 0.04 ml/kg/hour respectively, P=0.5). The median UFR was significantly higher on day-5 (0.8 Vs 0.1; P=0.03), day-6 (1.0 Vs 0.2; P=0.02), and day-7 (1.2 Vs 0.2; P=0.03) in the aminophylline than the control arm, respectively. Short duration of oliguria/anuria (≤ 6 days) was more frequently observed in aminophylline- treated patients compared to controls (77.8% Vs 25.0%; odds ratio 0.09; 95% CI: 0.01-0.89; P=0.04). Only the aminophylline group maintained steady serum creatinine levels. Four out of five patients in the control group were dialyzed compared to only one out of eight patients in the aminophylline group (odds ratio 0.16; 95% CI: 0.04-0.71; P=0.03). Mortality rates were similar in aminophylline- treated and control patients (33% Vs 25%; hazard ratio 0.8; 95% CI: 0.1-5.5; P=0.8).

CONCLUSION

Aminophylline therapy was beneficial for patients with AKI in terms of improved UFR and reduced need for dialysis, but failed to impact positively on survival.

[Effect of Limax lyophilized powder on bronchial asthma]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of Limax lyophilized powder on bronchial asthma.

METHODS

The allergic asthma model was established in guinea pigs by combined utilization of aluminum hydroxide and egg albumin to investigate the effect of Limax lyophilized powder on the bronchial flow and on the level of inflammator in bronchoalveolar lavage and serum.

RESULTS

The mortality of asthma laboratory guinea pigs was reduced and the incubation period of asthma was extended significantly in Limax lyophilized powder groups. Its antiasthmatic effect was as efficient as the control drug (aminophylline). The leucocyte count was decreased in peripheral blood and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The infiltration of pulmonary tissues eosinophil was also significantly reduced. Further more,the most efficient effects was showed in Limax lyophilized powder at the moderate dosage (63 mg/kg). The bronchial perfusion flow was increased and the level of IL-2 and IL-4 in blood serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was decreased obviously in the aminophylline group and Limax lyophilized powder groups at moderate and high dosage.

CONCLUSION

Limax lyophilized powder could inhibit bronchial asthma evidently.

Prophylactic methylxanthines for endotracheal extubation in preterm infants

BACKGROUND

Weaning and extubating preterm infants on intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) for respiratory failure may be difficult. A significant contributing factor is thought to be the relatively poor respiratory drive and tendency to develop hypercarbia and apnoea, particularly in very preterm infants. Methylxanthine treatment started before extubation might stimulate breathing and increase the chances of successful weaning from IPPV.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effects of prophylactic methylxanthine treatment on the use of intubation and IPPV and other clinically important side effects in preterm infants being weaned from IPPV and in whom endotracheal extubation is planned.

SEARCH STRATEGY

The standard search strategy of the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group was used. This included searches of The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, The Cochrane Library, Issue 2, 2010), the Oxford Database of Perinatal Trials, MEDLINE (1966 to July 2010), CINAHL (1982 to July 2010) and EMBASE (1988 to July 2010).

SELECTION CRITERIA

All published trials utilising random or quasi-random patient allocation in which treatment with methylxanthines (theophylline or caffeine) was compared with placebo or no treatment to improve the chances of successful extubation of preterm or low birth weight infants were included.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

The standard methods of the Cochrane Collaboration and its Neonatal Review Group were used.

MAIN RESULTS

Seven studies were identified for inclusion. Methylxanthine treatment results in a reduction in failure of extubation within one week (summary RR 0.48, 95%CI 0.32 to 0.71; summary RD -0.27, 95%CI -0.39 to -0.15; NNT 4, 95%CI 3 to 7; six trials, 172 infants). There is significant heterogeneity in the RD meta-analysis perhaps related to the large variation in baseline rate in the control groups (range 20 to 100%).The CAP trial enrolled the largest number of infants, but did not report extubation rates. In the caffeine group, there were lower rates of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, PDA ligation, cerebral palsy and death or major disability at 18 to 21 months. Infants receiving caffeine had reduced postmenstrual ages at time of discontinuing oxygen therapy, positive pressure ventilation and endotracheal intubation.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Methylxanthines increase the chances of successful extubation of preterm infants within one week of age. Important neurodevelopmental outcomes are improved by methylxanthine therapy. In any future trials, there is a need to stratify infants by gestational age (a better indicator of immaturity than birth weight). Caffeine, with its wider therapeutic margin, would be the better treatment to evaluate against placebo.

[Protective effect of aminophylline on cerebral injury during cardiopulmonary bypass in infants]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the protective effect of aminophylline on cerebral injury induced by cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in infants.

METHODS

Forty patients who underwent ventricular septal defect within 3 years old were randomly divided into 2 groups(20 cases in each group).Aminophylline group:aminophylline (5 mg/kg) was injected slowly via the vein after anesthesia and maintained at a dose of 0.5 mg/(kg.h) until the end of CPB.

CONTROL GROUP

aminophylline was replaced by Ringer's lactated solution. Samples were obtained at the beginning of CPB (T(1)),the end of CPB (T(2)),6 h (T(3)) and 24 h (T(4)) after the operation to measure S-100 beta protein, NSE, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) concentration by ELISA in the 2 groups.

RESULTS

Compared with the time point immediately before CPB, the S-100beta protein,NSE, TNF-alpha, and IL-8 concentration in the 2 groups began to increase with the start of CPB, reached a climax at the end of CPB (T(2)),decreased gradually 6 h after the termination of CPB(T(3)) and could not restore to the level before CPB at T(4)(24 h after the termination of CPB).IL-10 in the 2 groups both increased after the CPB. At T(2) and T(3), S-100beta protein,NSE, TNF-alpha, and IL-8 concentrations were significantly lower than those in the aminophylline group (P<0.05 or P<0.01), while IL-10 was just the opposite.

CONCLUSION

There is cerebral damage induced by CPB. Aminophylline may play a protective role in cerebral injury by modulating the balance between the pro-inflammatory factor and anti-inflammatory factor to reduce the level of S-100beta protein and NSE during CPB and open cardiac surgeries.

Effect of Brewer's yeast-induced pyrexia on aminophylline-elicited convulsions in mice

Theophylline-associated convulsions have been observed most frequently in children with fever, but the mechanism is not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the basic mechanism of aminophylline [theophylline-2-ethylenediamine]-induced convulsions and the effects of Brewer's yeast-induced pyrexia in mice. Diazepam (5-10mg/kg, i.p.), a benzodiazepine receptor agonist, significantly prolonged the onset and significantly decreased the incidence of convulsions induced by aminophylline (350 mg/kg, i.p.). However, the gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor agonist muscimol (1-4 mg/kg, i.p.), the GABAB receptor agonist baclofen (2-4 mg/kg, i.p.) and the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor antagonist dizocilpine (0.1-0.3 mg/kg, i.p.) failed to protect against the convulsions. 20% Brewer's yeast (0.02 ml/g, s.c.) increased body temperature by 1.03, and also significantly shortened the onset and significantly increased the incidence of convulsions induced by aminophylline. The anticonvulsant action of diazepam (2.5-10mg/kg, i.p.) on the convulsions induced by aminophylline was reduced by Brewer's yeast-induced pyrexia. The proconvulsant actions of the GABAA receptor antagonists picrotoxin (3-4 mg/kg, i.p.) and pentylenetetrazol (40-60 mg/kg, i.p.) were enhanced by Brewer's yeast. These results suggest that the anticonvulsant action of diazepam against aminophylline is reduced by Brewer's yeast-induced pyrexia, and that GABAA receptors are involved in the aggravation of the convulsions by Brewer's yeast in mice.

Novel chronotherapeutic rectal aminophylline delivery system for therapy of asthma

The aim of this study was to develop a new chronotherapeutic pharmaceutical preparation as a sustained-release suppository for prevention and therapeutic use against bronchial asthma in the early morning. Sustained-release hollow-type (SR-HT) suppositories using sodium alginate (Alg-Na), sodium polyacrylate (PANa) or polyacrylate-PANa co-polymer (PA-PANa) as gelling polymers (gel agent) were prepared and pharmaceutical characteristics of these suppositories were investigated. Type A SR-HT suppositories comprised a suppository shell prepared with oleaginous base and containing aminophylline only or aminophylline with Alg-Na or PANa in the cavity (hollow space). Type B SR-HT suppositories comprised a suppository shell prepared with oleaginous base and gel agent (30%), with aminophylline in the hollow space. In drug-release studies, the acrylate polymer-containing suppositories showed linearity of delayed release rate, providing significantly decreased the highest concentration of theophylline in plasma (C(max)) and delayed the time required to reach C(max) (t(max)) and the mean residence time (MRT) after rectal administrated in rabbits. In particular, suppositories containing PA-PANa maintained significantly higher theophylline concentrations than control suppositories at 12h after rectal administration. Furthermore, histopathological examination indicated that these suppositories using acrylate polymers did not result in rectal lesions. The SR-HT suppository, particularly using PA-PANa as a gel agent, may thus be useful against nocturnal symptoms of asthma. In this study, we confirmed new formulation of sustained-release suppository for chronotherapy of theophylline using oily base material in combination with polymer such as PA-PANa. The hollow-type suppository containing oleaginous base and hydrophilic polymer in the shell could be useful device for rectal administration of various drugs with prolongation of plasma concentration.

Treatment of acute occlusion of the retinal arteries

In five patients with obstruction of the retinal arteries, three with emboli, the circulation was reestablished by bulbus massage, intravenous administered acetazolamide and theophylamine. The patients were further treated with salicyclic acid for six months. An improvement of vision was obtained with maintained over a 2-year period. The basis of the present treatment occlusive arterial disorders in the retinal is discussed.

Effects of hypoxia and ischaemia on coronary vascular resistance, A-V node conduction and S-A node excitation

Hypoxia and ischaemia produce relaxation of the vascular smooth muscle of the resistance vessels in the myocardium. A low pH may contribute to the arteriolar dilatation but cannot account for the major response. In all likelihood the reduced pO2 acts indirectly by release of a vasodilator mediator rather than by a direct effect on the vascular muscle. Potassium release may account for a transient component of the vasodilation, but it appears that a major factor is the release of adenosine from the ischaemic tissue. Adenosine also appears to be responsible for slowing of the sinus rate and impaired A-V conduction in myocardial ischaemia. These observations are of clinical significance because hypoxia-induced A-V block, such as may occur in inferior myocardial infarction, can be abolished by an adenosine antagonist such as aminophylline. In contrast, adenosine is also useful in the treatment of some cardiac arrhythmias. Supraventricular tachycardia, in which the A-V node is involved in the re-entrant pathway, is readily abolished in humans by the intravenous administration of small doses of adenosine.

Comparison of the effects of low-dose vs. high-dose aminophylline on lung function in experimental meconium aspiration syndrome

Due to missing information on appropriate dosing of aminophylline in meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), this study compared effects of high-dose and low-dose aminophylline on lung function of animals with MAS. Meconium-instilled rabbits were treated by low-dose (LD, 1.0 mg/kg), or high-dose (HD, 2.0 mg/kg) aminophylline at 0.5 and 2.5 h after meconium instillation, or were left untreated. Within 5 h of oxygen ventilation, HD-aminophylline improved gas exchange, reduced pulmonary shunts and ventilatory pressures, and decreased edema formation and lung neutrophils. LD-aminophylline enhanced lung function to a lower extent than HD-aminophylline, and failed to reduce lung edema and the number of lung neutrophils. Both treatments decreased lung peroxidation, with a stronger effect of HD-aminophylline on lipid oxidation and of LD-aminophylline on protein oxidation. Tracheal reactivity to histamine decreased after HD-aminophylline, while lung tissue reactivity was more reduced after LD-aminophylline. Although LD-aminophylline showed some anti-inflammatory potential, HD-aminophylline improved most of the parameters more effectively.

Combination of budesonide and aminophylline diminished acute lung injury in animal model of meconium aspiration syndrome

Combination of low-dose budesonide and low-dose aminophylline may improve lung function in reduced adverse effects compared with high-dose monotherapy. Adult rabbits intratracheally received 4 ml/kg of saline or meconium (25 mg/ml). Meconium-injured rabbits were treated at 0.5 and 2.5 h after meconium instillation by intravenous aminophylline (1.0 mg/kg), by intratracheal budesonide (0.125 mg/kg) followed by intravenous aminophylline (1.0 mg/kg), or were untreated. Although aminophylline improved some respiratory parameters, budesonide+aminophylline more effectively reduced intrapulmonary shunts and improved gas exchange, without significant cardiovascular effects. Combined treatment reduced lung edema and number of lung neutrophils to a higher extent than aminophylline alone. Both treatments reduced lung peroxidation and in vitro airway reactivity to histamine, with a better effect after aminophylline alone. Combination of budesonide and aminophylline enhanced respiratory parameters more effectively, having fewer side effects than aminophylline alone. However, no additive effect of budesonide was observed on lung peroxidation and in vitro airway reactivity.

Aminophylline for prevention of bradyarrhythmias induced by rheolytic thrombectomy

In patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction or in those with thrombus-containing lesions, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) represents a clinical challenge to the interventionist, because coronary thrombus is a predictor of adverse outcomes. Thrombectomy, or the removal of thrombusfrom the infarct-related vessel prior to PCI, might improve clinical outcomes. The AngioJet Rheolytic Thrombectomy System (Possis Medical, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota) is commonly used to treat lesions containing thrombus burden. A complication of rheolytic thrombectomy is transient cardiac rhythm disturbances, specifically bradyarrhythmia requiring temporary pacing. Aminophylline, a methylxanthine and a competitive inhibitor of the adenosine receptor, may prevent rheolytic thrombectomy-associated bradyarrhythmias. This report describes the use of aminophylline alone to prevent rheolytic thrombectomy-induced bradyarrhythmias in a single tertiary care center.

Intracoronary aminophylline for management of bradyarrhythmias during thrombectomy with the AngioJet catheter

Thrombectomy with the AngioJet rheolytic thrombectomy catheter frequently causes bradyarrhythmias. This necessitates temporary pacemaker insertion and limits the device's use. Novel approaches for treatment of bradyarrhythmias are being tested. This article focuses on the evidence supporting the role of adenosine in bradyarrhythmias during thrombectomy and presents; data from a porcine model and the first human experience supporting the use of aminophylline, a competitive inhibitor of the adenosine receptor, via an intracoronary route, for prevention of bradyarrhythmias during thrombectomy.