Pulsed Electrostatic Field (PESF) and Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Undergoing Hemodialysis: Endothelial Dysfunction and Altered Hemostasis

Abstract

Backgrounds: Patients with chronic kidney disease and with diabetes mellitus type 2 have a high incidence of micro and macroangiopathy. Availability impaired of Nitric Oxide (NO) endogenous, consequent to endothelial dysfunction, can lead to peripheral vasoconstriction, altered hemostasis, enhanced platelet activation and altered permeability of vascular wall. Methods: Two groups of patients with type 2 diabetes, ischemic foot ulcers and receiving hemodialysis, were exposed or not to Pulsed Electrostatic Field Therapy (PESF). We also valued if the effects of PESF treatment on wound healing were influenced by the presence or not of obesity. Results: We found statistically significant differences from controls in body weight, systolic and diastolic pressure, heart rate and frequency of peripheral pulsations. Mean blood NO levels were significantly elevated in the treated group. Groups of patients obese and not obese treated with PESF there was a highly significant increases in the rate of wound healing as determined by ulcer area but not in untreated patients. Conclusions: Positive changes were found in body weight, cardiovascular function and platelet behavior. PESF is a promising new technique for the management of diabetic foot ulcers and further studies appear to be warranted.