[Buerger's disease or thromboangiitis obliterans]

Area of Science:

• Vascular Medicine
• Pathophysiology
• Clinical Review

Background:

• Thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO), or Buerger's disease, is an obliterative vascular disease affecting small to medium arteries and superficial veins.
• It predominantly impacts young male smokers, accounting for 0.5-5% of occlusive vascular diseases globally, with higher prevalence in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
• While pathogenesis remains poorly understood and controversial, diagnosis relies on clinical and angiographic criteria, as no specific markers exist.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review the clinical data, pathophysiology, and treatment strategies for thromboangiitis (Buerger's disease).

Main Methods:

• Review of existing clinical data.
• Analysis of pathophysiological mechanisms.
• Evaluation of current and potential treatment options.

Main Results:

• Buerger's disease affects young male smokers, with women and older individuals being less commonly afflicted.
• Disease activity is strongly linked to tobacco use, and spontaneous progression can lead to tissue loss and amputations.
• Induced hypervolemia and prostacyclins demonstrate effectiveness in treating critical limb ischemia associated with TAO.

Conclusions:

• Stopping tobacco use is paramount to prevent the spontaneous evolution and severe consequences of Buerger's disease.
• Prostacyclin therapy offers a viable treatment option for critical limb ischemia in patients with TAO.