INTRAARTERIAL AND INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION OF PROSTAGLANDIN E-1 CAUSE DIFFERENT CHANGES TO SKIN MICROCIRCULATION IN PATIENTS WITH PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL OCCLUSIVE DISEASE

Background: Disturbed skin microcirculation in patients with periphera l arterial occlusive disease (PA OD) might be affected by prostaglandi n E-1 (PGE(1)). The purpose of this study was to investigate local ski n perfusion at the forefoot and toe of PAOD patients during different modes of administration of PGE(1). Patients and methods: In 17 patient s with severe PAOD local intradermal haemoglobin oxygen saturation (S- HB) and dermal vascular reserve capacity, transcutaneous oxygen pressu re (tcPO(2)) and laser Doppler flux (LDF) were determined during intra -arterial (1.5 ng/kg body weight/min) and intravenous (6 ng/kg body we ight/min) infusion of PGE(1). Results: S-HB significantly increased at both locations during intravenous PGE(1); intra-arterial administrati on significantly increased S-HB in the skin of the forefoot only. Rese rve capacity increased during intravenous administration and was marke dly reduced during intra-arterial infusion. No significant changes wer e found regarding tcPO(2) and LDF. Conclusions: These data suggest dif ferent therapeutic mechanisms for intra-arterial and intravenous admin istered of PGE(1).