Hemodilution in intermittent claudication – a case report

Abstract

A 54 year old man presented with typical claudication due to occluded superficial femoral arteries of both legs. On the right side there was a short occlusion without visible col laterals in the angiogram. On the left side there was a long occlusion with numerous narrow col laterals. Before hemodilution the walking distance was limited by ischemic pain in the left leg. After hemodilution walking distance increased but was then limited by pain in the right leg. It is concluded that the different hemodynamic situations respond differently to hemodilution. Possibly this form of treatment is effective only when average shear stresses are low in the flow limiting segment.