University of Freiburg, Bad Krozingen, Germany
  

Cutaneous microcirculation and oxygen tension is the skin of the foot: effects of natural carbondioxide water with fresh water

Hartmann B., Drews B., hartmann-Unger M.

University of Freiburg, Bad Krozingen, Germany

The effects of immersion of the lower leg and foot in fresh water and in natural carbon dioxide water of the Kurt-sauer-Spring (Well) with 1200 mg CO2/L on cutaneous microcirculation, vasomotion and pO2 were measured by laser –Doppler-flowmetry (Perimed, Sweden) and transcutaneous oximetry (Hellige/GE, Germany). Ont he first of two extremities immersed in fresh water or carbon dioxide water under strongly standardized conditions: temperature 34C, depth: 40cm, immersion time 30 min) with concurent measurements.

On the second day patients were switched to the other immersion type. For both sets measurement probes were attached symmetrically to the dorsum of each foot. Included in he study were 24 patients with , mild, bilateral, peripheral occlusive disease (femoral type) i.e. clinical stage II. During the carbon dioxide bath, the laser Doppler signal and vasomotion amplitude rose by 300%, while oxygen tension increased by 18% (p < 0.01).

These increases were still apparent during the latter part (30min after immersion) of the measurement period, following withdrawal of the limbs from the bath, while patients were seated and supine. During immersion in fresh water and thereafter the laser Doppler signal was unchanged and the oxygen increase was considerably less marked (non significant). We demonstrated vasodilation, increasing of microcirculation and an increased oxygen-tension induced by rightward shift of oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve (classical Bohr effect) resulting from topical carbon dioxide application, and hence, that the use of natural carbon dioxide water is no placebo, but has an objective and evident therapeutic basis.