University of Freiburg, Bad Krozingen, Germany
  

Serial percutaneous applications as carbondioxide cure in intermittent claudication is effective in a clinical controlled study

Hamrtmann B. hartmann-Unger M.

University of Freiburg, Bad Krozingen, Germany

In a prospective, controlled clinical trial, the effects of serial (15 times is 3 wks) application of carbon dioxide water (1100 mg/L) were compared with tap water (same conditions)

Thirty patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (claudication with a stable walking distance of the treadmill (less, or equal than 6 months) in stage II. were randomly allocated to one of two serial intervention groups, lower extremities immersed either in tap/fresh water or in natural carbon-dioxide water of the Sauer-Quelle of Freiburg. All intervention conditions were strongly standardized: temperature of 33C , water-depth of 40 cm, immersion time 30 min, six times a week over there weeks.

The serial application of carbon dioxide water increased reactive hyperemia (arterial peak flow) +42+- 8% (mean, sd, compared after and befor p < 0.01) transcutaneous oxygen tension ont the for foot: +32+- 7% (p < 0.05) and pain free walking distance (+34 +- 9%)

The serial fresh water application without other additive interventions did not change significantly these values.

We conclude, that serial topical carbon dioxide application is clinical effective and therefore an evidence based therapy in patients with arterial obstructions is the lower extremities.