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Buerger's disease
A segmental non-atherosclerotic inflammatory condition that affects the small and medium sized arteries and veins of the extremities
Prevalence
Unknown
N/A
US Estimated
N/A
Europe Estimated
Age of Onset
Young adult - Adult
ICD-10
I73.1
Inheritance Pattern
Autosomal dominant
Autosomal recessive
Mitochondrial/Multigenic
X-linked dominant
X-linked recessive
Rare View
Buerger's disease is a segmental non-atherosclerotic inflammatory condition that affects the small and medium-sized arteries and veins of the extremities.
5 Facts you should know
FACT
It is characterized by narrowing or blockage (occlusion) of the veins and arteries of the extremities
FACT
In most cases, affects young or middle-aged male cigarette smokers
FACT
The legs are affected more often than the arms
FACT
In most cases, the first symptom is extreme pain of the lower arms and legs while at rest
FACT
The condition causes reduced blood flow to affected areas of the body, eventually resulting in damage to tissues
Interest over time
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Common signs & symptoms
Distal limb ischemia, typically affecting fingers, toes, hands, or feet
Intermittent claudication of the feet, calves, forearms, or hands
Rest pain, often severe and worse at night
Raynaud phenomenon (cold-induced color changes)
Ischemic ulcers of the digits
Digital gangrene in advanced disease
Current treatments
Complete tobacco and nicotine cessation (cornerstone of management)
• Includes cigarettes, vaping, smokeless tobacco, and nicotine replacement products
• The only intervention proven to halt disease progression
• Supportive and symptomatic management
• Wound care for ischemic ulcers
• Pain management
• Avoidance of cold exposure and trauma
Pharmacologic therapies (limited benefit)
• Vasodilators (e.g., calcium channel blockers, prostacyclin analogs) may provide symptomatic relief
• Antiplatelet therapy often used, though evidence is limited
Interventional and surgical approaches
• Vasodilators (e.g., calcium channel blockers, prostacyclin analogs) may provide symptomatic relief
• Antiplatelet therapy often used, though evidence is limited
Experimental or investigational therapies
• Stem cell therapy and angiogenic treatments remain under investigation and are not standard of care
References:
Olin JW. Thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger’s disease). N Engl J Med. 2000;343(12):864–869. Shionoya S. Buerger’s disease: diagnosis and management. Cardiovasc Surg. 1993;1(2):207–214. Piazza G, Creager MA. Thromboangiitis obliterans. Circulation. 2010;121(16):1858–1861. National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). Buerger Disease (Thromboangiitis Obliterans). Mayo Clinic. Buerger disease – Symptoms and causes.