Effect of silver-threads-containing compression stockings on the cutaneous microcirculation: a double-blind, randomized cross-over study.

Recently silver fiber-containing compression stockings for the use in patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) were introduced to the market. In order to gain some first insight into the effects of these new fabrics on the cutaneous microcirculation, a double-blind, randomized cross-over trial was performed in 10 healthy volunteers. A 3 days run-in phase preceded the (2 x10 days) treatment phases and was used to assess the reproducibility of the primary endpoint, which was the transcutaneous partial oxygen pressure (tcpO(2)) measured at a probe temperature of 44 degrees C in the perimalleolar region of the reference leg in supine and dependent leg positions.

Quality of life improvement after hospital- based rehabilitation or home-based physical training in intermittent claudication.

Background: The magnitude of potential changes in Quality-of-Life (QoL) after structured institution-based or home-based peripheral arterial disease (PAD) rehabilitation programs are largely unknown at present. This pilot study provides first QoL data after PAD rehabilitation or a home-based PAD training.

Patients And Methods: In a non-randomized, open-label pilot study three groups of out-patients were compared: group 1 (n = 18) PAD rehabilitation; group 2 (n = 17) PAD rehabilitation + clopidogrel 75 mg once daily; group 3 (n = 20) home-based training.

Physical training for intermittent claudication: a comparison of structured rehabilitation versus home-based training.

In a non-randomized, open-label study results after a structured institution-based peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAD) rehabilitation program were compared with the results of training at home. Three groups were compared: group 1 (n = 19) PAD rehabilitation; group 2 (n = 19) PAD rehabilitation + clopidogrel 75 mg once daily; group 3 (n = 21) home-based training. The training period was 3 months for all groups, which was followed by a 3-month observation phase (without prescribed training).

Reproducibility of constant-load treadmill testing with various treadmill protocols and predictability of treadmill test results in patients with intermittent claudication.

Background: Most trials on the reliability of constant-load treadmill testing use one pair of treadmill settings (speed, grade) only. The question of whether the results can be applied to tests with different settings is left open. Also, claudication distances measured with differing settings are not comparable, rendering the comparison of the results from different trials difficult.

[The value of walking exercise in treatment of intermittent claudication].

Physical training is one of the basic measures for all patients suffering from a generalized atherosclerosis. Specific training forms for PAD patients include home-based and structured, organized physical training programs; these are discussed and the results of meta-analyses presented. Whereas the published materials available for a home-based training is non-conclusive, structured training programs will lead to a statistically significant and clinically relevant improvement of a PAD patients' functional capacity.