Principles of conservative treatment of occlusive arterial disease

Conservative medical treatment is indicated for patients who have stable symptoms of intermittent claudication without rest symptoms or signs, rapidly progressive disease, or disability interfering with gainful employment (see Fig. 1). Valuable general measures include meticulous care of the limbs, avoidance of trauma and infections, and maintenance of normal body weight. Cessation of tobacco smoking is extremely important, and a regimented exercise program is therapeutically beneficial (see Table 1). The high risk factors of diabetes mellitus and hypertension should be controlled. Hyperlipoproteinemia should be treated if present, but it is currently not known if treatment of elevated cholesterol or triglyceride levels prevents progression of or reverses the disease process. If a recent arterial occlusion is suspected, fibrinolytic therapy can be expected to benefit approximately one third of the patients. Anticoagulants and vasodilator drugs have not been shown to be of value. In patients with rest symptoms or signs, who are not candidates for surgical revascularization of the limb, bed rest with dependency of the limb in a warm environment, good foot care, and analgesics are most important. Ulcers should be treated with wet dressings to preserve granulation tissue, and parenteral antibiotics are used if infection is present. When rest symptoms or trophic lesions have disappeared or improved, the patient may be gradually ambulated but should continue to sleep with the head of the bed elevated and should maintain meticulous foot care.