[Long-term arterial blockade and retrograde venous perfusion in peripheral arterial occlusive diseases]

The method of longterm artificial arterial blockade in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) opens new therapeutic possibilities. However, it is yet not clear if and how the suspected dilation of collateral arteries can be therapeutically used. The retrograde venous perfusion permits the transport of active substances in high concentrations into ischemic areas. The resulting temporary local damping or even blockade of sympathetic innervation can under certain conditions achieve therapeutic effects. A longterm arterial blockade can be performed even in case of trophic lesions. This permits treatment in stage IV of PAOD. It has been proved that antibiotics reach a lesion by retrograde venous perfusion faster and better than by systemic application, especially in badly compensated cases. However, sufficient experience on the therapeutic effect and possible side effects in stage IV is still lacking.