Effect of ticlopidine on the cutaneous circulation in peripheral vascular disease.

To assess the effect of ticlopidine on the cutaneous circulation, 25 patients with lower limb ischemia were investigated just before and at two hours after being given a 200 mg oral dose of ticlopidine. The transcutaneous partial pressure of oxygen (PtcO2) and the skin temperature were determined at 35 limb sites and 9 chest walls sites. Both the PtcO2 and the skin temperature were significantly increased at two hours after the administration of ticlopidine (p < 0.01). The findings suggest that ticlopidine can improve the cutaneous microcirculation in patients with peripheral vascular disease.