A novel computer-aided diagnostic approach for detecting peripheral arterial disease in patients with diabetes.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an important manifestation of systemic atherosclerosis, with diabetes being one of its most significant risk factors. Owing to medial arterial calcification (MAC), the ankle-brachial index (ABI) is not always a reliable tool for detecting PAD. Arterial Doppler flow parameters, such as systolic maximal acceleration (ACCmax) and relative pulse slope index (RPSI), may serve as effective surrogates to detect stenosis-induced flow alteration.

Long-term individual shear rate therapy counterpulsation enhances plasma nitrite release in patients with PAD.

Background: Individual shear rate therapy (ISRT) has been designed as a novel non-invasive treatment option for peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients and has been shown to improve endothelial function and walking distance. The aim of this study was to elucidate the impact of ISRT on the level of nitric oxide in patient blood plasma and the expression of related molecular markers in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Molecular diagnostic tests were performed for two ISRT trials.

Adaptation of external counterpulsation based on individual shear rate therapy improves endothelial function and claudication distance in peripheral artery disease.

Background: External counterpulsation therapy enhances blood flow and was shown to improve endothelial function and quality of life in coronary artery disease patients. However, high pressures of up to 300 mmHg may lead to malperfusion of the ischaemic limb. To improve the clinical outcome of patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD), we adjusted external counterpulsation and developed a novel non-invasive approach termed individual shear rate therapy (ISRT).