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Buerger’s disease, also known as thromboangiitis obliterans, is caused by vasculitis, which is inflammation of the blood vessels.1
Buerger’s disease typically affects blood flow to the hands and feet. With this disease, the blood vessels in the hands and feet swell and can become blocked by blood clots. As a result, less blood flows to the affected tissues, which can lead to pain, tissue damage, and even gangrene (death or decay of body tissues).2 In some cases, amputation may be required.1 Rarely, Buerger's disease also can affect blood vessels in the brain, abdomen, and heart.2
How Common Is Buerger’s Disease?
In the United States, Buerger's disease affects approximately 12.6 to 20 people per 100,000.3 Buerger’s disease mainly affects men aged 20 to 40 years of Asian or Eastern European descent2 who have a history of heavy smoking or chewing tobacco. Women and children are affected less often.
What Are the Risk Factors for Buerger’s Disease?
Cigarette smoking is the key risk factor for Buerger's disease. Heavy cigarette smokers (those who smoke 1½ packs a day or more) are most likely to develop Buerger's disease. Buerger’s disease can occur in people who use other forms of tobacco as well, such as cigars and chewing tobacco.4
How Is Smoking Related to Buerger’s Disease?
Almost everyone diagnosed with Buerger's disease smokes cigarettes or uses other forms of tobacco, such as chewing tobacco.5 However, it isn't clear how tobacco use increases the risk for Buerger's disease. It's thought that chemicals in tobacco irritate the lining of the blood vessels, causing them to swell.4
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Buerger’s Disease?
The most typical symptoms of Buerger’s disease are:1
- Pale, red, or bluish hands or feet
- Cold hands or feet
- Pain in the hands and feet; may be severe
- Burning or tingling
- Pain in the legs
, ankles, or feet when walking—often located in the arch of the foot
- Skin changes, painful sores, or ulcers on the hands or feet
Other symptoms include blood clots in the veins of the limbs, just below the skin, and Raynaud's phenomenon (narrowing of the blood vessels, which reduces blood flow to the fingers and toes).6 In severe cases, ulcers may develop on the fingers and toes, leading to gangrene.2
(narrowing of the blood vessels, which reduces blood flow to the fingers and toes).6 In severe cases, ulcers may develop on the fingers and toes, leading to gangrene.2How Is Buerger’s Disease Treated?
There is no cure for Buerger’s disease. Medicines generally don’t work well to treat Buerger’s disease. The goal of treatment is to control symptoms.1,2
The patient must stop using all tobacco products. Additionally, they should avoid cold temperatures and other conditions that reduce circulation to the hands and feet.
Applying warmth and exercising gently may help increase circulation.
Surgical bypass of the blood vessels may help restore blood flow to some areas.2 Cutting the nerves to the area (surgical sympathectomy) may help control pain.7 Aspirin and vasodilators, which are drugs that expand blood vessels, may also be used. It may be necessary to amputate the hand or foot if infection or widespread tissue death occurs.1
How Can Buerger’s Disease Be Prevented?
References
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- Page last reviewed: March 15, 2012
- Page last updated: May 16, 2012
- Content source: Office on Smoking and Health,National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
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