Buerger’s disease-where’s the relief?: A critical review

Author: 
Kumar Rajeev, Arya Chandramohan and VermaSarita

Buerger’s disease is a chronic disorder, also known as Thrombo- AngitisObliterance (TAO). It is a nonatherosclerotic, segmental inflammatory disease that most commonly affects the smalland medium-sized arteries and veins in the upper and lower extremities. It frequently occurs in cigarette smokers. Poor hygiene, genetic factors, autonomic over-activity are other factors for this disease. Buerger’s disease presents with rest pain, intermittent claudication, discoloration and gangrene formation. Clinical features andangiographic finding are the basis of early diagnosis of TAO.Medical management in form of aspirin, pentoxyfyllineand verapamil increase pain-free walkingdistance in intermittent claudication, but long term usage fails to prevent disease progression in patients who continue to smoke.Surgical treatment in form of lumbar sympathectomy andomentopexy help reduce pain andpromote healing of trophic changes. Ayurveda the great science of life has elaborately described leech therapy (Jalaukavcharan) to remove vitiated doshas from affected organ. Leech therapy has its excellence by improving blood circulation through vasodilatation effect.

Paper No: 
824