title: Noninvasive Transcutaneous Monitoring in Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients With Thromboangiitis Obliterans Treated With Intravenous Iloprost.
abstract: We evaluated the effectiveness of intravenous iloprost (IVI) in outpatients with thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) and lower limb noninvasive transcutaneous monitoring (TCM) at follow-up (FU). Ten consecutive patients with TAO underwent IVI therapy. Transcutaneous oxygen (TcPo 2) and carbon dioxide (TcPco 2) determination and laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) were performed before and after IVI at 3, 6, and 12 months of FU. Clinical response was positive in 7 patients, whereas 3 nonresponders underwent a second IVI cycle with 1 showing a late positive clinical response. After 12 months of FU, all patients were alive without amputations. Supine and dependent TcP2 levels significantly improved (P < .005). Hallux LDF values showed significant change with the maximal hyperemic test at 44°C (P < .005). Forefoot maximal hyperemic test at 44°C LDF (P < .005) and improved venous arterial reflex (P < .05) showed statistically significant time evolution. We demonstrated some degree of IVI effectiveness and evaluated TCM in patients with TAO.
authors.affiliation: Angiology Division, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Department, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Elio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Melillo
authors.affiliation: Angiology Division, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Department, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy cgrigoratos@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Chrysanthos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grigoratos
authors.affiliation: Angiology Division, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Department, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco De
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Sanctis
authors.affiliation: Angiology Division, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Department, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Spontoni
authors.affiliation: Angiology Division, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Department, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nuti
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dell'Omodarme
authors.affiliation: General and Vascular Surgery Division, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Department, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.affiliation: Angiology Division, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Department, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Balbarini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D001785:Blood Gas Monitoring, Transcutaneous; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006940:Hyperemia / Q000503:physiopathology; D016285:Iloprost / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013919:Thromboangiitis Obliterans / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D016285:Iloprost
keywords: buerger disease; iloprost; laser doppler; thromboangiitis obliterans; tobacco; transcutaneous oxygen