THE IMPACT OF HELP ON HEMORHEOLOGY IN PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL-DISEASE

Fibrinogen and lipoproteins are considered to be the most decisive pac emakers in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. H.E.L.P. is based on t he fact that lipoproteins as well as fibrinogen are precipitated at ac id pH-values in the presence of heparin. Their elimination therefore l eads to restoration of the micro-circulation, while the haemostasiolog ical pattern remains unchanged. The increased oxygen supply to the tis sue enables us to perform limb-saving surgical procedures instead of m utilating amputations: 16 patients with peripheral arterial disease in Fountaine's stages III and IV were submitted to 15 H.E.L.P. treatment s each instead of primary limb amputation. Surgery was limited to the removal of gangrenous tissue only. None of the patients experienced an y side-effects due to the procedure.