Lung damage reduction due to reperfusion injury of acute lower limb ischemia with and without pentoxifylline and vitamin c combination therapy: histopathological evaluation

Several studies report an incidence of acute limb ischemia of approximately 1.5 cases per 10,000 persons per year. The mortality rate from acute limb ischemia ranges from 15-to 20% and the morbidity rate from 25% by amputation and 5-to 25% to fasciotomy. Revascularization is the main goal in the management of acute limb ischemia. Reperfusion of ischemic limbs can save limbs from amputation, but Ischemia-reperfusion injury can also cause systemic damage in the form of damage to body organs (lung, liver, kidney, heart, and brain tissue) which increases morbidity and mortality rates. Lung tissue is an easily affected target organ, and damage from Ischemia-reperfusion injury can cause acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome. These conditions damage the endothelium and epithelium of the lung parenchyma resulting in edema and impaired gas diffusion with a very high mortality rate of around 25-40%. The combination therapy of Pentoxifylline and Vitamin C in reducing the effect of Ischemia-reperfusion injury on lung tissues and have shown a protective effect of lung tissue damage due to ischemia-reperfusion injury in lower limbs.