[Pharmacotherapy of peripheral arteriosclerosis]

Peripheral atherosclerosis was treated in 178 patients: 90 were given pyridinol carbamate for 2--4 months, 40 pentoxyphylline, 30 cetedil, and 18 received butalamine. in intermittent claudication pyridinol carbamate and trental proved most effective, cetedil (straten) was less effective. The favourable effect of pyridinol carbamate is associated with its action both on the state of microcirculation and on the content of lipids. A significant decrease in the level of blood triglycerides was observed during treatment with pyridinol carbamate. Pentoxyphylline reduced blood viscosity and platelet aggregation in patients with peripheral atherosclerosis but had no effect on the blood lipid content. Cetedil did not reduce blood viscosity although it decreased the aggregation of erythrocytes and inhibited the second phase of platelet aggregation. The objective criterion for the improvement of circulation in the affected extremities was increased tolerance to load, particularly in medication with pyridinol carbamate and trental.