Treatment of intermittent claudication: two different mechanisms

(1) After surgical reconstruction in patients with isolated arterial occlusions, prolongation of walking distance depends on the increase in blood flow, i.e. the improvement of muscular working capacity is due to a "flow mechanism". (2) After medical therapy, the prolongation of walking distance does not depend on the response of total blood flow. This is most probably attributable to a shift of blood to muscle capillaries, i.e. the improvement of muscular working performance is due to a "distribution mechanism". (3) Combined therapeutic use of both mechanisms may ensure optimal results in the treatment of intermittent claudication.