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Background: Aim of this study was to assess the influence of intermitted negative pressure (INP) therapy on the foot microcirculation in patients with no-option CLTI. Patients and methods: CLTI patients defined as no option for revascularization on the basis of an interdisciplinary vascular board decision (interventional radiology, vascular surgery) were included in this study. INP therapy was performed at home. Therapy regime was: 1 hour twice daily. Follow-up was after 6 weeks and 3 months. Microcirculation measurement was performed by laser Doppler flowmetry and white light spectrometry (oxygen to see, O2C TM ). Following parameters were evaluated: oxygen saturation (sO2 in%), relative hemoglobin (rHb) and flow (in arbitrary units A.U.). Additionally the clinical outcome of the patients was assessed. Results: From September 2020 to June 2022, 228 patients were screened. In total 19 patients (13 men, 6 women, mean age was 73.95 years) were included. 6 weeks after INP therapy the microcirculation showed a significant improvement for the parameter sO2 (%) (p=0.004). After 3 months a non-significant decrease compared to 6 weeks follow-up was seen for the parameter sO2; however, the perfusion was still improved compared to baseline measurement. With regard to the microperfusion values flow (AU) and hemoglobin (AU), the changes were not significant. Clinically, the patients reported a significant reduction of rest pain after therapy (p=0.005). Conclusions: INP therapy in no-option CLTI patients showed a significant improvement of the skin perfusion after 6 weeks. Therefore, INP therapy might have therapeutic potential in these critical ill patients.

Background: The latest guidelines propose a TcpO2 value of 30 mmHg to help to confirm the diagnosis of chronic limb threatening ischemia. However, placement of electrodes is not standardised. The relevance of an "angiosome-centred" approach for TcpO2 electrode positioning has never been evaluated. We therefore retrospectively analysed our TcpO2 results to study the impact of electrode placement on the different angiosomes of the foot. Patients and methods: Patients consulting the vascular medicine department laboratory for suspicion of CLTI using TcpO2 electrodes placement on the different angiosome arteries of the foot (first inter metatarsal space, lateral edge of the foot and plantar side of the foot) were included. As the mean intra-individual variation is reported to be 8 mmHg, a variation of mean TcpO2 for the 3 locations ≤8 mmHg was considered to be not clinically significant. Results: Thirty-four patients (34 ischemic legs) were analysed. The mean TcpO2 was higher at the lateral edge of the foot (55 mmHg) and plantar side of the foot (65 mmHg) than at the first intermetatarsal space (48 mmHg). There was no clinically significant variation of mean TcpO2 according to anterior/posterior tibial artery patency and fibular artery patency. This was present when stratifying on the number of patent arteries. Conclusions: The present study suggests that multi-electrode TcpO2 is not useful to assess tissue oxygenation in the different angiosomes of the foot to guide surgical decision; first intermetatarsal electrode alone would be preferred. TcpO2 seems rather to evaluate overall tissue oxygenation of the foot. Electrode location on the plantar side of the foot may overestimate results and lead to misinterpretation.

Background: Amputation below the ankle at the diabetic foot is rarely successful, if carried out as closed amputation (with primary wound closure)., Aim of the Study: To assess the outcome of open and closed (minor) amputations in diabetic patients from three hospitals. Patient charts including pathohistology reports were evaluated., Patients: A total of 80 diabetic patients were considered, of whom 47 had critical foot ischaemia (CFI) Fontaine stage IV, 5 had endstage renal failure with haemodialysis treatment, and 72 had polyneuropathy., Results: During 96 procedures, 60 toes and 48 metatarsal bones were amputated. A closed amputation (CA, n=54), or an open amputation (OA, n=42) had been performed, at the discretion of the surgeons. Toes rather than metatarsal bones were amputated more often with CA than with OA (p=0.0018). Following CA, 14 wounds (26%) healed by primary intention, whereas 40 wound did not; in 15 cases (28%), reamputations were required. Following OA, 26 wounds (62%) healed by secondary intention, and 14 cases (33%) required reamputation. Histopathology revealed osteomyelitis at the osteotomy site in 34 cases (64%) of CA, versus 31 cases (78%) of OA. Following CA, 77% of 9 cases without CFI, and with healthy bone at the osteotomy site healed by primary intention, versus 4% of 25 cases with CFI and osteomyelitis at the osteotomy site (p<0.0001)., Conclusion: Closed amputation was successful only in absence of CFI and of osteomyelitis at the osteotomy site. The extension of osteomyelitis was grossly underestimated. Preoperative MR imaging (rather than X-ray) to diagnose osteomyelitis could improve the outcome of a closed minor amputation, and justify its preferred application at the diabetic foot.

The main causes for amputations on the lower extremities are dysvascular disease and/or diabetes mellitus. Especially in diabetics tissue preserving surgical techniques should be performed. Due to multimorbidity and high risk of an amputation on the other extremity, the so called "major amputations" ("transtibial" or "transfemoral") should be reduced. Especially in diabetics tissue preserving amputations on the foot or resection techniques on the foot are of importance to prevent major disabilities or handicaps on the patients. For this the surgeon has to have knowledge on all amputation levels on the foot as well as knowledge about prosthetic fitting or shoe techniques. With this a high percentage of good results will prevent the patient from major amputations.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and renal insufficiency (RI) were shown to be associated with an obstructive lesion pattern favouring distal lower limb arterial segments in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). We hypothesized that presence of DM is associated with pronounced involvement of the tibioperoneal arteries, whereas RI predominantly affects the pedal arch., Patients and Methods: A consecutive series of PAD patients (mean age 75 +/- 10 years, 40 women) with RI alone (n = 15), RI and DM (n = 25), DM alone (n = 25) and without RI or DM (n = 25) underwent diagnostic angiography. We analyzed the obstructive burden of different segments of the infrageniculate arterial tree using the Bollinger score as well as accessibility of pedal arteries for bypass surgery., Results: In patients with DM and in patients with RI the mean total obstructive burden was higher in pedal as compared to tibioperoneal arteries (9.79 +/- 4.60 vs. 6.99 +/- 3.45, p = 0.03;10.50 +/- 5.53 vs. 6.88 +/- 4.12, p = 0.05, respectively). However, rates of patency of at least one pedal artery were significantly lower in patients with RI and RI/DM as compared to controls (47% and 48% vs. 80%, respectively; p = 0.007), whereas patency was comparable between patients with diabetes alone and controls (72% vs. 80%, ns). Rates of viability of pedal arteries as an attachment site for distal bypass was 80%, 68%, 47% and 44% in controls, patients with DM alone, RI alone and RI/DM, respectively (p = 0.0042)., Conclusions: In contrast to previous anecdotal observations, both DM and RI are associated with a high atherosclerotic burden of the pedal arch in the present angiographic series. The presence of RI, however, is associated with a lower patency of the pedal arch as compared to the presence of DM alone, and more than fifty percent patients are unsuitable for distal bypass grafting.

Background: We sought to establish risk factors predicting the outcome of foot lesions in longstanding diabetic patients with critical foot ischaemia (CFI)., Patients and Methods: We investigated retrospectively 98 consecutive diabetic patients with ischaemic foot lesions. The patients (mean age 70 years, duration of diabetes 21 years) were jointly cared for by specialised diabetologists and vascular surgeons; 75 patients were treated by arterial revascularisation., Results: Good outcome (lesions healing) was observed in 53 patients (54%). Bad outcome was observed in 45 patients: not healing lesions (n = 5), major amputation (n = 19), and death in relation to the foot lesion (n = 21). Patients with good and bad outcome did not differ regarding age, sex, smoking status, type, duration and treatment of diabetes mellitus, presence of neuropathy, coronary heart disease, stroke, previous amputations, current revascularization, and localization of the foot lesion. The risk of bad outcome was increased 8.9 times in patients on dialysis for end-stage renal disease; 7.0 times if surgical complications were present; and 5.4 times with C-reactive protein (CRP) above the second quintile (cut-off value 8 mg/dl)., Conclusion: Management of longstanding diabetic patients with ischaemic foot lesions leaves room for improvement. Dialysis treatment, elevated CRP levels and surgical complications were strongly predictive of non-healing lesions, major amputation and death.

Septic peripheral embolism due to infective complication of vascular infrainguinal procedures has been occasionally reported. The combination, however, of purulent arthritis of the knee joint and septic microembolism of the foot, as consequence of an infected pseudoaneurysm, is a very rare entity. We report a case of an infected anastomotic femoral aneurysm, following an iliofemoral "in situ repair" which was complicated with purulent arthritis of the knee joint and multiple small necrotic lesions of the plantar surface of the foot. Treatment included removal of the infected graft, an extra-anatomic revascularization and arthrotomy with pus evacuation. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course and remained well at four-year follow-up, with a mild dysfunction in the knee joint flexion.

Background: In a substantial number of mainly diabetic patients isolated crural arterial lesions are found to be the underlying cause for severe ischaemic foot lesions. Without revascularisation, patients with this specific occlusion pattern will inevitably face major amputation. To attain limb salvage in this setting, since the early eighties short vein grafts were used to bypass the occluded infrapopliteal arteries. More recently, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) was also attempted to avoid limb loss in selected patients., Patients and Methods: Since May 1986 in 125 patients 130 autologous bypass grafts from the BK-popliteal artery or the proximal tibioperoneal arteries to malleolar vessels were performed in the presence of extended crural arterial occlusions and critical foot ischaemia (rest pain 3, tissue loss 127). In another series in 89 limbs (rest pain 5, tissue loss 84) of 84 patients PTA was done to treat 168 focal stenoses of > 50% diameter reduction and 11 short occlusions in a total of 135 crural arteries., Results: Using life-table analysis, primary and secondary cumulative patency rates for short vein grafts with distal graft origin were 90% and 98% at 30 days, 76% and 83% at one year and 46% and 49% at seven years, respectively. The corresponding limb salvage rates amounted to 95%, 80% and 63%. Initial complete or partial technical success after PTA of crural arteries could be obtained in 93%: The limb salvage rates achieved were 95% at 30 days, 82% at one year and 63% at six years., Conclusion: Our results suggest that--depending on the extent of lesions--both short vein grafts as well as PTA are successful complementary treatment modalities to avoid limb loss in predominantly diabetic patients with infrapopliteal artery disease and critical ischaemia.

Background: Diabetic foot syndrome (DFS) is a frequent complication of long-standing diabetes mellitus, occurring in 10 to 30 percent of all diabetics with a vital risk for the affected limb and high mortality rates. Macroangiopathy, diabetic polyneuropathy and infections are trigger factors for DFS. Recent results imply a pathogenic role of functional and structural microcirculatory changes. The exact role of microangiopathy and the value of microcirculatory diagnostic methods in DFS have not yet been defined., Patients and Methods: 78 patients with DFS (28 type I, 50 type II diabetics, mean age 63 years) were evaluated with video capillary microscopy, transcutaneous partial oxygen tension (tcpO2) measurement and laser Doppler fluxmetry (LDF) at the forefoot of the affected leg at admission and after revascularisation. Mean hospital stay was 28 +/- 11.7 days. Patients were stratified according to the etiology of DFS in patients with neuropathic lesions, macroangiopathic ulcers and mixed neuropathic-angiopathic lesions., Results: All groups had impaired microcirculation, and significant differences between groups were found in respect to capillary density. Reactive hyperemia, LDF pattern and tcpO2 did not differ significantly. Microcirculatory examinations did not yield additional information to clinical and Doppler sonographic results., Conclusion: In clinical practice, the role of microcirculation evaluation techniques for diabetic foot syndrome is limited.

Background: Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) has been shown, by duplex, to increase popliteal artery flow in normal legs and in legs with superficial femoral artery occlusion. The objective of this study was to see if IPC improves distal circulation in legs with severe infra-popliteal disease., Patients and Methods: Sixteen chronically ischemic legs with arteriographically demonstrated crural or pedal disease were studied during compression with an ArtAssist compression-device. This device delivers rapid compression of the foot and calf. Cutaneous laser-Doppler flux was measured continuously at the dorsal aspect of the distal forefoot. The findings were compared to those in thirteen normal controls of similar age., Results: In ischemic legs, the spontaneous changes in skin-flux are minimal: mean resting flux in sitting position was 0.87 +/- 0.46 AU (Arbitrary Units). Upon activation of the compression device the maximum flux increased to 4.55 +/- 1.35 AU. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). This response was similar to that in normal controls., Conclusion: Arterial flow augmentation upon compression is associated with increased skin-flux. This response remains present in severe disease of the crural outflow-arteries. Further investigation to define the role of intermittent compression for management of chronic arterial disease is warranted.

Background: We investigated the short-term effect of vacuum compression (VC) treatment on skin microcirculatory perfusion in the foot of patients with lower limb ischaemia and healthy controls., Patients and Methods: Ten patients with intermittent claudication or rest pain and 5 healthy controls underwent vacuum-compression treatment for half an hour. The leg was positioned in an air-tight plexiglass cylinder in which hypobaric (-115 mm Hg) and hyperbaric (75 mm Hg) pressure could be generated alternately, in order to improve peripheral circulation. The effect on skin microcirculation was investigated using nailfold capillary microscopy (measuring nutritive perfusion), laser Doppler fluxmetry (LDF) (total skin perfusion) and transcutaneous oxygen tension measurements (TcpO2)., Results: A few patients experienced ischaemic symptoms during VC, probably because the leg was pinched off through inflation of the cuff. In both patients and controls capillary microscopic parameters did not change significantly. In some cases, microcirculatory perfusion decreased because the leg had cooled during the treatment. Application of a heating matrass annihilated this effect. Only in the patient group a few LDF- and TcpO2 parameters improved slightly, but significantly., Conclusion: Vacuum-compression therapy only slightly improves total skin perfusion and oxygenation, but not the nutritive microcirculation, being an essential factor in the occurrence of ischaemic symptoms. We therefore conclude that this instrument in its present form is not an aid in the treatment of lower limb ischaemia.

Background: A substantial number of patients with chronic critical limb ischaemia (CLI) have considerable oedema at the distal leg and foot of non deep venous thrombosis origin. The primary aim of the present study was to quantify the distribution of oedema in the different tissues of the leg and foot by applying computed tomography and planimetry. The interstitial fluid hydrostatic pressure (Pif) in the subcutaneous tissue was measured to evaluate the effect of oedema on local tissue pressure., Patients and Methods: Six men and 12 women with unilateral CLI and peripheral pitting oedema were included. Cross sectional areas (CSA) of subcutaneous tissue, muscle and bone were measured by computer tomography combined with planimetry to assess the distribution of oedema within the soft tissues. Pif was measured by "wick-in-needle" technique., Results: The median total CSA of soft tissue, subcutaneous and muscle tissues at the foot level were respectively 17%, 34% and 9% greater in the limbs with CLI compared to the contralateral limb (p < 0.001). At ankle level these differences were 13%, 30% and 4%, respectively (p < 0.001). At the level of the calf these differences were not significant. Mean Pif in the limbs with CLI was 0.3 mmHg, significantly higher than in limbs without CLI (-1.8 mmHg), (p < 0.003)., Conclusion: The study verified oedema of considerable magnitude at the ankle and foot. The great part of the oedema was located within the subcutaneous tissue, which was associated with a relatively moderate, but significant increase in Pif confirming the high compliance of the subcutaneous tissue. The combination of the excessive fluid and increased Pif in the interstitial tissue might aggravate the microcirculation. The aetiology of oedema formation is probably multifactorial.

Background: Despite the continuing high incidence of deep vein thrombosis after total hip arthroplasty, currently available mechanical thromboprophylactic systems are not sufficiently utilised in Germany., Patients and Methods: Duplex-sonographic measurements of the maximum venous flow velocity (V. femoralis) in 10 healthy individuals performed with a leg orientation synonymous to that during total hip arthroplasty were compared to figures obtained during an out-stretched leg position. Additionally, duplex-sonography was conducted on 9 patients intra-operatively during total hip replacement to complete the study. All investigations were executed both with and without application of the A-V Impulse System (AVIS), a mechanical thromboprophylactic procedure., Results: In contrast to the out-stretched leg position, a decreased venous peak flow velocity during surgery as well as in the operation-identical leg orientation was demonstrated in the absence of AVIS. However, by means of AVIS, a significant increase in the venous peak flow velocity (p < 0.01) was achieved for both situations. Additionally, an increased vessel diameter of the V. femoralis communis was observed in 75% of patients due to the leg orientation stipulated for hip replacement surgery., Conclusion: The data suggest that the A-V Impulse System can effectively accelerate the venous reflux-flow during operations involving hip replacements and thus provide an early preventative therapy for deep vein thrombosis after a surgical procedure.

Background: Many physiological processes are subjected to circadian variation. We tested if circadian changes of skin perfusion can be detected by measuring laser Doppler flux (LDF) in the foot and if such variations are different in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD)., Patients and Methods: LDF was recorded hourly during a 24-hour period in 10 healthy subjects and in 19 PAOD patients, 9 presenting with claudication (stage II according to Fontaine, ankle artery pressures (AP) 80 +/- 11 mmHg) and 10 with skin necrosis (stage IV, AP 42 +/- 29 mmHg)., Results: Circadian variability of LDF was significantly reduced in stage IV patients compared both with stage II patients and controls (p < 0.01). An increase in LDF could be observed early in the afternoon and, more pronounced, during the night, occurring to the same extent in healthy and PAOD patients in stage II (p < 0.001). In stage IV the increase in LDF was not significant and a decrease was observed in two patients. LDF and local skin temperature were correlated in controls and stage II patients (mean r = 0.69 +/- 0.12 and 0.7 +/- 0.14, respectively), but not in stage IV (mean r = 0.23 +/- 0.18). A further limitation of LDF variability and nocturnal increase was seen in the presence of diabetes., Conclusion: Circadian variations of skin blood flow are comparable in controls and patients with claudication but markedly reduced in patients with severe PAOD presenting with ulcers, in whom skin perfusion seems uncoupled from temperature regulation, possibly due to local factors causing continuous arteriolar vasodilation.

Background: Oxygen saturation (SHB) and concentration (CHB) of dermal hemoglobin are important parameters for the supply of the skin. They may be non-invasively assessed by means of reflection photometry as hemoglobin is predominantly contributing to the skin reflection spectrum., Methods and Results: Dermal reflection spectra from the middle of the forefoot and from the tip of the toe of 20 healthy subjects and 61 patients suffering from peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) were recorded and compared to transcutaneous oxygen pressure (tcPO2). SHB, and tcPO2 were significantly higher in controls: compared to patients (ankle pressure (AP) > 50 mmHg) SHB in the skin of the forefoot was 63.8 vs. 54.5% (p < 0.05), CHB was 0.89 vs. 0.62 aU (p < 0.01). In the great toe SHB was 92.9 vs. 59.9% (p < 0.001), CHB was 2.21 vs. 0.92 aU (p < 0.001). Heating the skin of the forefoot to 44 degrees C yields local dermal vascular reserve capacity: SHB and CHB increased in all healthy subjects (96.4%; 1.44 aU, respectively). SHB decreased at the forefoot in 14 and at the toe in 18 of 21 patients with AP < 50 mmHg. At the toe decrease was found in 50 of 61 patients (sensitivity 82%, specificity 100%)., Conclusions: Local vascular reserve capacity of dermal perfusion is reduced in patients with PAOD, depending on AP. It should be determined preferably in patients with severe PAOD.

The vascular anatomy of the distal calf and proximal foot was studied in 16 preparations obtained by corrosion. Arterial anastomoses between the different vessels are frequently observed and were also detected by digital subtraction arteriography in 14 patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease. The comparison between anatomy and arteriography revealed that performed anastomoses in the malleolar and proximal foot region are important for compensating crural arterial occlusions. The Ramus communicans posterior, the Ramus perforans of the fibular artery and the Rete calcaneare play an important role. Whereas in other vascular territories collaterals dominate for compensation of occlusions performed anastomoses are of crucial importance at the malleolus.

From May 1990 to April 1994 we performed 24 arterial reconstructions to pedal arteries in 23 patients. There were 12 women (52%) and 11 men (48%) suffering from chronic critical ischemia of the lower extremities. The 30 day-mortality was 9%. 3 early graft thromboses had to be corrected. This was successful in two cases, but failed in one case, making below knee amputation in this patient necessary. Another leg with a patent graft had to have a below-knee amputation due to persistent foot infection. Secondary procedures to correct graft stenoses were performed in 8 legs (33%). All patients entered a prospective surveillance program to study primary (64% at 12 months) and primary assisted patency rates (81% at 24 months). Limb salvage rate was 90% at 24 months. We think that reconstructions to pedal arteries are worthwhile in properly selected patients. Limbs can be salvaged in a high percentage improving quality of live considerably.

Retrograde venous perfusions (RVP) of antibiotics were proven to be therapeutically more effective than systemic venous infusions (SVI) in patients with infected diabetic neuropathic plantar ulcers (DNPU: no additional macronagiopathy of leg arteries). In order to study some pharmakokinetic features of RVP application paratibial tissue levels of Netilmycin (NL; from suction blister fluid) and cubital venous NL were compared under each SVI and RVP therapy in 8 patients with DNPU. Tissue (11.6 +/- 6.4 micrograms/l) were significantly higher (p < 0.001) an within the therapeutic range after RVP (SVI: 4.31 +/- 1.68). In ulcer transsudate (RVP only; n = 4) NL mounted to 36.4 +/- 11.6 microgram/ml. Peak and base NL in cubital blood were within the normal range for both SVI and RVP (no significant difference). The date indicate that RVP is superior to SVI application of Netilmycin (and probably other antibiotics) as surmounting the damaged microcirculation in DNPU to achieve effective drug levels in the target tissue.

Between February 1983 and June 1994 we attempted surgically to salvage twenty-six legs in twenty-five patients with insufficient distal run-off and severely ischemic feet; all of them had resting pain, and 23 had tissue necrosis. A saphenous venous graft was interposed between an artery of the lower extremity (femoral or popliteal) and the veins of the foot with obligatory end-to-side distal anastomosis. The patency of the venous circulation of the ischemic foot was ascertained by retrograde phlebography. Patients were followed from 3 months to 11 years (an average of 3 years and 5 months). In 19 legs (73%), surgery succeeded in preventing extensive gangrene of the foot, and allowed postponing or avoiding major amputation. The purpose of this paper is to analyze this experience, and stimulate further interest and study of the reversed microcirculation in critical ischemia.

Ten diabetic patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease, peripheral polyneuropathy and chronic foot ulcers were given 2500 U low molecular weight heparin (Fragmin, Kabi-Pharmacia AB, Sweden) subcutaneously once a day during 8 weeks. The mean age was 63 (47-80) years and the mean duration of foot ulcers 8 (4-12) months. All patients had previously received conventional treatment during 12 weeks, without any noticeable improvement on ulcer healing. The ulcer area was measured, and the skin microcirculation of the forefoot and around the ulcers was investigated before, during and after treatment with Fragmin. The total skin microcirculation was measured by laser Doppler fluxmetry, the nutritional skin microcirculation by vital capillaroscopy and the macrocirculation by determination of the ankle/arm pressure ratio. The ulcer area decreased significantly in eight patients of which four healed the ulcers completely. Of the remaining two patients one deteriorated, whereas one showed a decrease of the ulcer area during treatment, but an increase when treatment was stopped. The macro- and total microcirculation were unchanged in all patients, whereas the nutritional capillary circulation improved in seven out of nine patients, concomitantly with clinical improvement. The biological zero value (a flow-independent part of the LD signal) was high in 4 patients before treatment, but decreased during treatment and remained low even after treatment with Fragmin.-The results indicate that Fragmin positively influences the healing process of chronic foot ulcers in diabetic patients, possibly by improving the capillary circulation in the ulcer margin, in spite of an unchanged arterial and total skin microcirculation of the region.

So far only few cases of familial occurrence of popliteal artery entrapment have been reported. Such a case involving two brothers and one sister is described. Both the male subjects presented with additional patellar dysplasia and had to undergo surgical therapy. In the case of their sister a conservative treatment was sufficient.

Six diabetic patients with infected foot lesions (mean age 64 years) and six male patients (mean age 71 years) with ischemic acral ulceration due to advanced peripheral arterial occlusive disease were treated with 200 mg ofloxacin b.i.d. The necrotic margin tissue concentrations of ofloxacin determined by HPLC and confirmed by microbiological assay were in the same range (1.6 to 6.4 mg/kg) as plasma levels (1.6 to 5.9 mg/l). No difference of plasma and tissue concentrations was found between patients with peripheral vascular disease and diabetics, respectively. After three weeks treatment bacterial wound pathogens disappeared in 7 subjects, changed in 4 patients and were resistant in one patient. Clinical improvement appeared in 9 of 12 patients after three weeks of therapy. Satisfactory tissue levels of orally administered ofloxacin were achieved in the infected necrotic tissue area of diabetic and non-diabetic patients with impaired peripheral arterial circulation.

In the present study, plethysmographic methods were used to evaluate the function of the foot pump and the distal calf pump and to characterize the relationship between simultaneously assessed volume changes of the foot and the distal calf in healthy subjects and in patients with distal venous valvular insufficiency. Expelled volume of the foot was found to be more compromised than that of the distal calf in patients where Doppler examination demonstrated deep venous reflux at ankle level. Consequently, EV of the distal calf was less useful in evaluating these patients. Half-refilling time at the two levels was sensitive and equally useful for determining deep valvular function at ankle level.

It has been demonstrated that skin blood flow of postphlebitic limbs is increased. Also the venoarteriolar response (VAR), i.e. precapillary vasoconstriction present in normal limbs on standing up, is reduced in limbs with venous insufficiency, resulting in capillary hypertension. The supine skin resting flow (SF) and the skin flow on standing (SF) have been measured with laser-Doppler in 30 normal lower limbs and 70 postphlebitic limbs with ambulatory venous pressure greater than 65 mmHg; also, the rate of ankle swelling (RAS) has been measured with strain-gauge plethysmography. The VAR was derived from VAR = 100* (RF-SF)/RF. The reduction of VAR and the increase in SF, which has been demonstrated in the postphlebitic limbs, correlated well with the rate of ankle swelling (RAS). The measurements of SF, VAR and RAS evaluate objectively the degree of impairment of the microcirculation because of severe venous disease. They offer the possibility to study the natural history and the effect of treatment of venous hypertensive microangiopathy.