Hemorheologic approach in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.

Pentoxifylline, a new trisubstituted methylxanthine derivative, is the most well known of a new group of hemorheologic agents. It has been shown to improve hemorheologic abnormalities associated with diabetes and atherosclerosis. The authors examined the role of pentoxifylline in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. Forty diabetic patients with foot ulcerations were included in the study, 20 of whom received conventional therapy and 20 received pentoxifylline (400 mg three times a day) in addition. Healing of ulcers after eight weeks of treatment was significantly higher in those on pentoxifylline, and the patients needed less mutilating surgery. Administration of pentoxifylline in addition to conventional therapy was significantly superior in the management of diabetic foot ulcers.