Vigorous Hydration to Manage Intermittent Claudication?

Several clinicians in Argentina recently observed anecdotally that a simple intervention — vigorous hydration — improved symptoms in several patients with claudication caused by atherosclerotic peripheral artery disease. Now, in a prospective cohort study, this group has systematically examined the effect of hydration in 132 patients (median age, 72) with disabling intermittent claudication despite treatment with exercise, risk-factor modification, and cilostazol. Patients were instructed to drink 2500 mL of liquids daily (at baseline, average fluid intake was 1000 mL daily); they also were advised on dietary protein supplementation and moderate sodium intake. Patients with heart failure or whose serum creatinine was >1.5 mg/dL were exclude…