[Effect of the vasoactive drug buflomedil in arterial occlusive disease].

Peripheral occlusive disease is characterized by impairment of microcirculatory function in poststenotic vascular segments, independently from etiology and stage of the disease. The microcirculatory disorder results in impairment of the rheologic properties of blood, stagnation and maldistribution of nutritional flow; as a consequence local hypoxia and tissue acidosis will occur. Treatment of arterial occlusive disease in patients not amenable to surgery, therefore has to abolish the microcirculatory disorder. The vasoactive drug Buflomedil is well tolerated when administered at recommended dose and free from effects on the central hemodynamics. However, Buflomedil improves microvascular perfusion and function. This beneficial effect is the composite outcome of the drugs effect on red cell flexibility, platelet aggregation, oxygen need and redistribution of microvascular blood flow.