Importance of adjustment of haemorheological and haemocoagulative components in the medical treatment of arteriosclerosis obliterans of the lower limbs

Abstract

After a quick analysis of the haemorrheological components that intervene in arteriosclerosis obliterans of the lower limbs reducing peripheral flow, the effects of some drugs on haematic and plasmatic viscosity are described. The importance of the role played by the red blood cells both in causing an increase of viscosity and in the microcircle is stressed. In the latter the reduced red cell deformability together with the thrombophylic syndrom, present in these arterial diseases, creates a vicious circle which causes a further worsening of the tissue ischaemia.

In the therapy of these vascular diseases buflomedyl chlorhydrate and pentoxyfilline are of particular importance.

The latter especially, through its different actions on several pathological components of the secondary hyperviscosity syndrom, represents an effective therapeutic remedy in the treatment of arteriosclerotic arterial diseases.

For a long term prognosis of these patients, anyhow, further and wider long term studies are necessary.