Tissue concentrations of ofloxacin in necrotic lesions in patients with peripheral vascular disease and in diabetics.

In a pilot study six patients (three diabetics with gangrenous lesions of the lower limbs, mean age 74 years, three patients with peripheral vascular disease stage IV according to Fontaine, mean age 70 years) were treated with 200 mg ofloxacin orally b.i.d. The tissue concentrations of ofloxacin in the necrotic material (1.6 to 6.4 mg/kg) were in the same range as the plasma levels (2.3 to 5.9 mg/l) or even higher. In conclusion, besides local therapy, ofloxacin seems to be effective in the systemic treatment of infected necrotic and gangrenous lesions.