Patient assessment and examples of a method of treatment. Use of the circulator boot in peripheral vascular disease

Abstract

Effective peripheral blood flow is positively related to cardiac output and gravity (part dependent) and inversely related to gravity (part elevated), venous pressure, interstitial fluid pressure, degree of peripheral neuropathy, arteriosclerotic and thrombotic arterial obstructions, and infection. These factors are considered in the operation of the end-diastolic pneumatic boot in the treatment of illustrative patients with lymphedema, venous stasis disease, peripheral arteriosclerosis obliterans, peripheral neuropathy, cellulitis, and osteomyelitis and the failing heart. A method of treatment that includes the use of the boot and the injection of local antibiotics is described.