ABSTRACTSPentoxifylline (PTXF) is a methylxanthine that modifies leukocyte function and inhibits cytokine release. To evaluate its effects on the cardiovascular manifestations of sepsis secondary to group B streptococci, 14 anesthetized, mechanically ventilated piglets were studied over a 240-min period. Animals were randomly assigned to a treatment group that received a PTXF bolus (20 mg/kg) followed by a continuous infusion of 5 mg/kg/h before and during group B streptococci (1 x 108colony forming units/kg/min) administration and a control group that received saline as a placebo. Comparison of the hemodynamic measurements and arterial blood gases during the first 90 min of PTXF treatment with those of the control group resulted in the following 90 min values: systemic arterial blood pressure was significantly higher in the PTXF group (89 ± 10versus56 ± 30 mm Hg; P < 0.005) as was cardiac output (0.18 ± 0.04versus0.10 ± 0.07 L/kg/min; p < 0.005). Pulmonary vascular resistance remained lower in the PTXF-treated animals (135 ± 117versus248 ± 119 mm Hg/L/min/kg; P < 0.001), and these animals were less acidotic as measured by pH (7.07 ± 0.2versus7.31 ± 0.1; p < 0.05) and base deficit (-15 ± 9versus−5 ± 2 mmol/ L;p < 0.05). Median survival time was significantly longer in the PTXF group (210versus90 min; p < 0.002). These data demonstrate that PLXF can ameliorate some of the deleterious hemodynamic manifestations of group B streptococci sepsis and result in improved survival in a young animal model. (Pediatr Res31: 596–600, 1992)