Effects of Theophylline on Cardiovascular Performance in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

¹ From the Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven

Theophylline is a widely used bronchodilator, but only recently have its positive cardiovascular actions been recognized in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Intravenous aminophylline acutely reduces pulmonary artery pressures and pulmonary vascular resistance and increases both right and left ventricular ejection fraction. Oral long-acting theophylline produces a similar and chronic improvement in biventricular performance. Postulated mechanisms by which theophylline enhances right and left ventricular systolic pump performance include reduction in ventricular afterload and positive effects of the drug on ventricular inotropy. Theophylline may be particularly valuable in patients with a combination of COPD, pulmonary artery hypertension, and right or left heart failure.