Xenon-133 muscular flow measurements in surgery for arterial disease of the lower limbs.

Muscular flow measurements were carried out in 34 patients with peripheral chronic arterial occlusive disease using the 133-xenon clearance method. The reactive hyperemia technique was preferred to the walking test. All the patients were investigated by angiography and 46 limbs were available for assessment. Control flow measurements were done after treatment in the following groups: arterial reconstruction in ten limbs of nine patients, unilateral lumbar sympathectomy in three and medical therapy in seven. Follow-up was from three to 12 months. The findings of flow measurements were of limited value in identifying the distribution of the arterial disease, but they provided a reliable means to predict the results of direct arterial repair in various procedures. They also proved to be a valuable method to assess the results of surgery. This does not seem to apply to lumbar sympathectomy or conservative treatment.