Observations on changes in intermittent claudication after the administration of creatine phosphate.

A study was carried out in 13 patients with stabilized occlusive arterial disease to assess the effect of treatment with creatine phosphate (800 mg/day for 12 days) on walking distance to onset of disabling pain and on haemodynamic parameters (Winsor Index and calf arterial blood flow after ischaemia). Before treatment, patients had daily exercise for 12 days on a treadmill to plateau walking distance increase due to exercise. The results showed a further significant increase in walking distance after treatment, and a significant increase in peak reactive hyperaemia in all but 2 patients. The possible mechanisms of the effects of creatine phosphate are discussed.