Examination of Lower Limb Microcirculation in Diabetic Patients with and without Intermittent Claudication

Intermittent claudication is a frequent complaint in lower extremity artery disease, but approximately two thirds of patients are asymptomatic, most which diabetic patients. Non-invasive angiological and microrheological tests on subjects with without intermittent were performed the present study. In total, 98 included divided into groups: 20 (63.5 ± 8.8 years, 55% men, 45% women) had claudication, 78 (65.5 9.3 61.5% 38.5% asymptomatic. Hand-held Doppler ultrasound examination, transcutaneous tissue partial oxygen pressure (tcpO2) measurement, Rydel–Seiffer tuning fork tests, 6-min walk performed, erythrocyte aggregation was investigated. Ankle–brachial index (p < 0.02) tcpO2, measured during provocation 0.003) test 0.0001), significantly deteriorated symptomatic group. A higher faster aggregate formation observed 0.02). Despite statistically better results asymptomatic group, 13% these severe limb ischemia based tcpO2 measurement. Claudication can be associated worse hemodynamic hemorheological conditions patients; however, also develop subjects. vascular detect ischemia, highlights importance early instrumental screening limbs.