RESUMO
Objective To investigate the efficiency of autologous transplantation of bone-marrow mononuclear cells for treatment of patients with diabetic lower limb ischemia. Methods Twenty patients of type 2 diabetes (22 legs) with diabetic lower limb ischemia were treated by autologous transplantation of bone-marrow mononuclear cells. Results All ischemic legs were preserved except three feet, which were amputated due to the previously existed foot gangrene in one and unsolved pain in two. The pain-alleviated rate was 85.0%. The amputation rate was 13.6%. The skin turned warm in all legs(100.0%). TcPO2 of the ischemic legs was elevated in 17 patients with 19 legs. Angiography showed a noticeable increase of visible collateral vessels in 7 patients with 8 limbs who had angiographic follow-up. Conclusion Autologous transplantation of bone-marrow mononuclear cells could be a simple, safe, and effective method to treat patients with diabetic lower limb ischemia.