Critical limb ischaemia and the response to bone marrow-derived cell therapy according to tcPO2 measurement

Abstract. Background: Cell therapy is an emerging potential biotherapy for critical limb ischaemia (CLI) patients who are not eligible for revascularization. However, the findings on this technique’s efficacy are inconsistent. Trials investigating this topic focused on the more severe CLI patients who were often beyond any therapy. Therefore, identifying those who may truly benefit from cell transplantation is now warranted. To this end, we studied the prognostic value of tcPO2 for major amputation after 1 year in patients treated with bone marrow-derived cells. Patients and methods: CLI patients ineligible for revascularization were included in a cell-therapy pilot study. On inclusion, patients underwent tcPO2 measurement in supine and sitting positions. For a tcPO2 30 mmHg in the sitting position. Patients were administered intramuscular injections of mononuclear cells derived from aspirated bone marrow. Results: In total, 25 ...