HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Siegel, M. E. Articles by Wagner, H. N. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Siegel, M. E. Articles by Wagner, H. N., Jr.

A Useful, Objective Criterion for Determining the Healing Potential of an Ischemic Ulcer

The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland

Correspondence: For reprints contact: Michael E. Siegel, 615 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, Md. 21205.

ABSTRACT

Peripheral vascular perfusion studies utilizing intra-arterial injections of radioactive microspheres were performed on 60 patients who had ischemic ulcers of the lower extremity. Point counting over the lesion and adjacent areas was utilized to qualitate and quantitate the relative hyperemia of the lesion. When this relative hyperemia was at least 3.5:1, approximately 90% of the patients had their ulcers healed. In those without this degree of hyperemia only approximately 10% eventually had their ulcers healed without surgical intervention. Assessment of relative hyperemia of the ulcer bed is a useful, objective, prognostic indicator of the healing potential of an "ischemic" ulcer.