Hemodynamic Responses of Claudicating Extremities

Abstract

Fifteen subjects with arteriosclerosis obliterans underwent an individualized physical training program for an average of 5.5 months. Each month the following measurements were obtained: venous occlusion plethysmogram, mechanical oscillogram, electronically amplified oscillogram, and maximal walking distance. Significant increases in maximal walking distance were observed at the time of the maximal increase in peripheral blood flow. However, the coefficient of correlation between maximal walking distance and venous occlusion plethysmography was low. Maximal walking distance could be used as an indicator of blood flow changes in the lower limb only in patients with a single segmental occlusion.