Pentoxifylline Treatment of Acute Pancreatitis

• Changes in CRP [ Time Frame: 1 week ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  This primary objective of our research is to determine whether inhibition of the TNF-pathway by Pentoxifylline reduces inflammatory markers in severe AP.
  
  
• Changes in TNF-alpha [ Time Frame: 1 week ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  The primary objective of our research is to determine whether inhibition of the TNF-pathway by Pentoxifylline reduces inflammatory markers in severe AP.
  
  
• Changes in IL-6 [ Time Frame: 1 week ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  The primary objective of our research is to determine whether inhibition of the TNF-pathway by Pentoxifylline reduces inflammatory markers in severe AP.
  
  
• Changes in IL-8 [ Time Frame: 1 week ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  The primary objective of our research is to determine whether inhibition of the TNF-pathway by Pentoxifylline reduces inflammatory markers in severe AP.
  
  

• Development of organ failure during hospitalization [ Time Frame: 1 week or until dismissal date whichever occurs earlier. ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
  This secondary objective of our research is to determine if Pentoxifylline is safe, beneficial and well-tolerated in patients with severe AP.
  
  
• Development of pancreatic necrosis during hospitalization. [ Time Frame: 1 week or until dismissal date whichever occurs earlier. ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
  This secondary objective of our research is to determine if Pentoxifylline is safe, beneficial and well-tolerated in patients with severe AP.
  
  
• Death during hospitalization. [ Time Frame: 1week or until dismissal date whichever occurs earlier. ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
  This secondary objective of our research is to determine if Pentoxifylline is safe, beneficial and well-tolerated in patients with severe AP.
  
  
• Need for radiologic, endoscopic and/or surgical intervention. [ Time Frame: 1 week or until dismissal date whichever occurs earlier. ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
  This secondary objective of our research is to determine if Pentoxifylline is safe, beneficial and well-tolerated in patients with severe AP.
  
  
• Length of hospital stay and the need for intensive care. [ Time Frame: 1 week or until dismissal date whichever occurs earlier. ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
  This secondary objective of our research is to determine if Pentoxifylline is safe, beneficial and well-tolerated in patients with severe AP.
  
  
• Development of serious infection: Culture positive infections in pancreatic/peripancreatic, blood stream, urine or clinical/radiological evidence of pneumonia after initiation of Pentoxifylline. [ Time Frame: 1 week or until dismissal date whichever occurs earlier. ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
  This secondary objective of our research is to determine if Pentoxifylline is safe, beneficial and well-tolerated in patients with severe AP.
  
  
• Adverse events like hemorrhage and and the most common side effects listed in the drug package insert in the treatment group [ Time Frame: 1 week or until dismissal date whichever occurs earlier. ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
  This secondary objective of our research is to determine if Pentoxifylline is safe, beneficial and well-tolerated in patients with severe AP.
  
  

Subjects will be put in one of two groups by chance (as in the flip of a coin). This is done so that neither you nor the investigator will know which group you are in.

You will be put into either the treatment group or the control group.

• The treatment group will receive a drug called pentoxifylline
• The control group will receive a placebo (matching pill that has no medication in it) You will take the pills by mouth starting from the time of admission. You will receive a total of 9 doses over the first three days of your hospitalization (72 hours).

When subject have standard patient care blood draws, additional blood will be taken to do the research tests. The additional blood tests will be done every two days for up to 7 days, starting on the first day. The additional tests will require about 2 teaspoons (10 ml) of blood per day; the maximum amount of extra blood taken would be less than 3 tablespoons (40.0 ml). Information from your medical record will be gathered while you are hospitalized and after your discharge. The study will continue to gather clinical follow up information up to four months.