[Intra-arterial administration of prostaglandin E1 in occlusive arterial diseases].

The authors present their result of a two-year follow-up of 106 patients to whom an intra-arterial perfusion of prostaglandin E1 was administered, as limb salvage procedure. The patients were in the IIIrd and IVth stage of occlusive diseases by Fountain, and surgical reconstructions were not possible. All patients were divided into five groups: A--diabetic angiopathy (5), B--distal form of atherosclerosis (40), C--diabetic angiopathy and atherosclerosis (45), D--Burger disease (10) and E--adjuvant therapy in reconstruction with poor run-off (6). The Doppler sonographic and angiographic measurements were performed. After transcutaneous (16 cases), or intraoperative (90 cases) introduction of the catheter into superficial of profunda femoral artery, a continuous intraarterial administration of prostaglandin E1 was carried out in a dose of 10 nanograms/kg body weight/minute (total dosage 3000 nanograms). The patients were controlled immediately after the treatment, as well as 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months after the treatment. In efficiency of the treatment was estimated on the following basis: elimination of rest pain, healing of trophic ulceration and demarcation of gangrenous processes. Our late results of intra-arterial administration of prostaglandin E1 proved to be a very successful limb salvage procedure. The treatment was more successful in a connections between the upper knee arterial net and pedal arterial arches were preserved.