Peripheral arterial occlusive disease: conservative treatment of intermittent claudication.

Intermittent claudication is the principal symptom in stage II of peripheral arterial occlusive disease. As this is a multilocular manifestation of atherosclerosis, a distinction must be drawn between treatment of the underlying disease with consideration of the individual risk factors and improvement and abolition of the intermittent claudication. Various therapeutic principles exist, and drug therapy is the subject of controversial discussion. On the basis of eight controlled, randomized studies, it was demonstrated that in comparison with placebo a statistically significant increase in the pain-free walking distance can be achieved by oral drug administration within 3-6 months. This drug therapy should be considered for those patients with intermittent claudication who cannot undergo revascularization, angioplasty, or walking training.