Protective Effects and Potential Mechanism of Tongxinluo on Mice with Thromboangiitis Obliterans Induced by Sodium Laurate / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effects of Tongxinluo (TXL) on thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) and the underlying mechanisms.@*METHODS@#Ninety male C57/BL6J mice were randomly divided into 6 groups according to a random number table: the sham group, TAO model group, Compound Danshen Tablet (CDT) group, and the high-, medium-, and low-dose TXL groups. All mice except the sham group were injected with sodium laurate (0.1 mL, 5 mg/mL) in the femoral artery to establish TAO mouse model. After modeling, mice in the sham and TAO model groups were intragastrically administered 0.5% (w/v) sodium carboxymethylcellulose, mice in the CDT group were intragastrically administered 0.52 g/kg CDT, and mice in the TXL-H, TXL-M, and TXL-L groups were intragastrically administered 1.5, 0.75, and 0.38 g/kg TXL, respectively. After 4 weeks of gavage, the recovery of blood flow in the lower limbs of mice was detected by Laser Doppler Imaging. The pathological changes and thrombosis of the femoral artery were observed by morphological examination. The expressions of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the femoral artery wall were detected by HE staining. Levels of thromboxane B2 (TXB2), 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α (6-keto-PGF1α), endothelin-1 (ET-1), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Levels of activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT) and fibrinogen (FIB) were detected by a fully automated biochemical analyzer.@*RESULTS@#TXL promoted the restoration of blood flow in the lower limbs, reduced the area of thrombosis in the femoral artery, and alleviated the pathological changes in the femoral artery wall. Moreover, the levels of TXB2, ET-1, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α and iNOS were significantly lower in the TXL groups compared with the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01), while the level of 6-keto-PGF1α was significantly higher (P<0.01). In addition, APTT, PT, and TT were significantly prolonged in TXL groups compared with the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and FIB levels were significantly decreased compared with the model group (P<0.01).@*CONCLUSIONS@#TXL had a protective effect on TAO mice, and the mechanism may involve inhibition of thrombosis and inflammatory responses. TXL may be a potential drug for the treatment of TAO.

Enfermedad de Buerger o el endotelio como laberinto: a propósito de un caso clínico / Buerger's disease or the endothelium as a labyrinth: case report

La enfermedad de Buerger, también llamada tromboangeítis obliterante, es una enfermedad vascular inflamatoria transmural no aterosclerótica, segmentaria, que afecta pequeños y medianos vasos de las extremidades, de especial asociación etiopatogénica con el tabaquismo. Ocurre comúnmente en hombres menores de 50 años, siendo un diagnóstico diferencial en el escenario de pacientes con isquemia crónica. Se presenta el caso de un hombre de 43 años, con antecedente de tabaquismo pesado, quien cursaba con claudicación intermitente llegando hasta el dolor en reposo, asociado a úlceras de aspecto vasculopático en miembros inferiores, en ausencia de pulsos distales (pedio, tibial posterior); la pletismografía reportó mayor compromiso infrapoplíteo, con circulación colateral segmentaria por arteriografía, sin posibilidad de revascularización endovascular. Se consideró un caso compatible con enfermedad de Buerger, planteándose un manejo híbrido: médico (con agentes antiagregantes) y quirúrgico (con puente femoropoplíteo directo). Se realiza una breve revisión de tema de esta enfermedad de rara aparición

Abstract. Buerger's disease, also called thromboangiitis obliterans, is a non-atherosclerotic, segmental, transmural inflammatory vascular disease affecting small and medium-sized vessels of the extremities with a special etiopathogenic association with smoking; it commonly occurs in men under 50 years of age, and is a differential diagnosis in the setting of patients with chronic ischemia. We describe the case of a 43-year-old man, with a history of heavy smoking, who presented with intermittent claudication reaching pain at rest, associated with ulcers of vasculopathic appearance in the lower limbs, in the absence of distal pulses (pedius, posterior tibial); plethysmography reported greater infrapopliteal involvement, with segmental collateral circulation by arteriography, without the possibility of endovascular revascularization. The case was considered compatible with Buerger's disease, and hybrid management was weighed: medical (with antiplatelet agents) and surgical (with direct femoropopliteal bridging). A brief review of this rare disease is presented

Arteriopatía periférica asociada a marihuana / Marijuana-associated peripheral arteriopathy

La arteriopatía por marihuana debe ser considerada en pacientes jóvenes con arteriopatía periférica sin factores de riesgo para ateroesclerosis. Se ha descrito por primera vez en 1960 y existen más de 100 casos en la literatura. Si bien se tiende a considerar como una entidad independiente de la tromboangeítis obliterante o enfermedad de Leo Buerger, debido a los hallazgos la consideramos dentro del espectro de esta última. Presentamos dos casos de pacientes jóvenes con enfermedad vascular periférica asociada al consumo de marihuana, luego de excluir otras enfermedades. El tratamiento es el cese del consumo. Es indispensable valorar el uso de drogas en pacientes jóvenes que se presentan con arteriopatía periférica.

The marijuana arteriopathy should be considered in young patients with peripheral arterial disease with no risk factors for atherosclerosis. It was described for the first time in 1960 and since then there have been about 100 cases published in the literature. Although it tends to be considered as an independent entity of thromboangiitis obliterans or Leo Buerger´s disease, in the light of the last findings it is possible to consider it within the spectrum of the latter. We present two cases of young patients with peripheral vascular disease associated with marijuana use where other associated illnesses had been excluded and where the mainstay of treatment has been the cessation of marijuana consumption. It is essential to assess drug use in young patients presenting with peripheral arterial disease.

Coronary artery dissection in a patient with Buerger's Disease

Abstract Buerger's disease, vasculitis of small and medium-sized blood vessels, is a non-atherosclerotic and progressive occlusive condition which frequently involves the distal part of the limbs. The occlusion of coronary arteries in Buerger's disease is a rare condition; however, coronary artery dissection has not been reported previously. Therefore, this paper presents a 45-year-old man who developed coronary artery dissection associated with Buerger's disease. The patient was treated successfully with coronary artery bypass grafting with the left internal mammary artery to the left anterior descending artery, and saphenous vein graft to the right coronary artery.

Four-extremity salvage with long vein grafts in buerger disease

No abstract available.

The Incidence and Prevalence of Thromboangiitis Obliterans in Taiwan: A Nationwide, Population-based Analysis of Data Collected from 2002 to 2011

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the incidence and prevalence of thromboangiitis obliterans in Taiwan in the period spanning from 2002 to 2011. METHODS: We identified all incident and prevalent cases with a diagnosis of thromboangiitis obliterans (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision code 443.1) in the period spanning from 2002 to 2011 using Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database. We calculated the age- and sex-specific incidence and prevalence rates of thromboangiitis obliterans during the study period. RESULTS: From 2002 to 2011, 158 patients were diagnosed with thromboangiitis obliterans; of these, 76% were men. Most (63%) of the patients were <50 years old when they were first diagnosed. After reaching 20 years of age, the incidence rate increased with age and peaked among those aged ≥60 years. The average incidence rate of thromboangiitis obliterans during the 2002–2011 period was 0.068 per 105 years. The incidence of thromboangiitis obliterans decreased with time, from 0.10 per 105 years in 2002 to 0.04 per 105 years in 2011. The prevalence increased from 0.26 × 10−5 in 2002 to 0.65 × 10−5 in 2011. CONCLUSION: This is the first epidemiologic study of thromboangiitis obliterans using claims data from a general population in Taiwan. This nationwide, population-based study found that the incidence and prevalence of thromboangiitis obliterans in Taiwan in the 2002–2011 period were lower than those in other countries before 2000. This study also revealed a trend of decreasing incidence with simultaneous increasing prevalence of thromboangiitis obliterans in Taiwan from 2002 to 2011.

Successful Complex Endovascular Intervention for a Patient with Typical Buerger's Disease

In thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger's disease), little progress has been made in its treatment. Medical treatment is ineffective and bypass surgery is possible only in limited case. Nowadays, endovascular intervention is popular treatment option for Buerger's disease. Endovascular procedure is safe, technically feasible, and effective. Especially, in long occlusion lesion with distal channel, endovascular intervention can be an effective treatment option. Herein, we report a case of complete wound healing following the successful endovascular intervention in Buerger's disease patient with distal channel.

Preliminary Clinical Efficiency of Autologous Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells for Treating Critical Limb Ischemia of Thromboangiitis Obliterans / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the long-term clinical effect of autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PB-MNC) on critical limb ischemia (CLI) in patients with thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 22 patients with CLI caused by TAO from July 2004 to May 2013 were analyzed retrospectively, 22 patients were divided into 2 groups; out of them 12 cases in one group were treated with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-mobilized autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (auto-PBMNC group), 10 cases in another group received conservative treatment (CT group). The log-rank test was used to compare the long-term outcomes in auto-PBMNC group and CT group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The wound healing rate (P=0.016) and CLI-free rate (P=0.013) were significantly higher in PB-MNC group compared with that in CT group. No difference was found in amputation rates between the 2 groups (major amputation: P=0.361, minor and major amputation: P=0.867). No patients died or no serious adverse events occurred during the follow-up period.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The auto-PBMNC therapy can significantly promote the wound healing, and protect against CLI in TAO patients, but the risk of amputation is not low in comparison with conservative treatment.</p>

Brain infarction in a young patient with Buerger’s disease -- a case of cerebral thromboangiitis obliterans

Buerger’s disease (BD) or thromboangiitis obliterans is a vasculitis that most commonly affects the small and medium-sized arteries and veins in the extremities.1 It is most frequently seen in the young men who smoke and is associated with low socioeconomic status. BD is diagnosed on the basis of the clinical findings; the pathogenesis is not completely be understood.1-4 In this report, we aim to present the clinical, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and angiographic findings of a 30-year-old man with ischemic stroke as a rare complication of BD.

Endovascular Treatment of Multilevel Chronic Total Occlusion Using a Stent Puncture Technique in Buerger's Disease

We reported a patient with Buerger's disease who presented with critical limb ischemiawith prior recurrent occlusions after multiple surgical and endovascular treatments. Total occlusion of the whole native femoropopliteal and infrapopliteal arteries was observed. The femoropopliteal bypass graft, as well as a stent that was implanted in the mid-popliteal artery, were also occluded. Because of the lack of distal targets for bypass, surgical revascularization was not feasible; therefore, we decided to perform endovascular treatment. To overcome the limitation of vascular access, the previously implanted popliteal stent was directly punctured, and a guide wire was passed through the bypass graft. After the organized thrombus in the bypass graft was aspirated, further recanalization below the popliteal stent down to the plantar arteries was performed successfully. In conclusion, the stent puncture technique is a feasible and safe option for overcoming the limitations of vascular access in patients with multilevel occlusions.

Comparison of Quality of Life in Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease Caused by Atherosclerosis Obliterans or Buerger's Disease : Cardiovascular Topic

Objective: Buerger's disease and atherosclerosis obliterans (ASO) are two peripheral arterial diseases (PAD) that are frequently encountered. The aim of this study was to compare quality of life (QOL) in patients with Buerger's disease and ASO. Methods: We prospectively followed 86 patients who were admitted to our hospital due to ASO or Buerger's disease. Their ischaemia was evaluated according to the clinical category chronic limb ischaemia at the time of hospital admission and at six and 12 months. The QOL was measured at the time of hospital admission and at six and 12 months with the Short Form Health Status Survey (SF-36) and Vascular Quality of Life Questionnaire (VASCUQOL). Results: A total of 86 patients with ASO or Buerger's disease (47 and 39; respectively) were included in the study. Pain parameters from both SF-36 and VASCUQOL scores were lower in patients with Buerger's disease at the time of hospital admission and at six months. The impairment in QOL was found to be proportional to the extent of chronic limb ischaemia. Conversely; when patients with critical limb ischaemia were evaluated; no difference was observed between those with ASO or Buerger's disease in terms of QOL. Amputations were found to have a negative effect on quality of life. Conclusion: Buerger's disease had a more pronounced negative effect on QOL than ASO; particularly in terms of pain score. When critical limb ischaemia was considered; ASO and Buerger's disease impaired quality of life at the same rate

Endovascular Revascularization for the Obstruction after Patch Angioplasty in Buerger's Disease

Surgical revascularization for patients with Buerger's disease is possible only in a few cases, due to the diffuse segmental involvement and the lack of distal runoff vessels available for bypass surgery. We encountered a case of resting pain in the right foot, coldness with dysesthesia, and cyanosis on the right 1st toe. The patient was treated with an endovascular intervention after vein patch angioplasty failed due to an inflammatory reaction of Buerger's disease. We suggest that an endovascular procedure can be an effective treatment, even in addition to more conservative and surgical management, in patients with Buerger's disease and critical limb ischemia.

Revascularization for lower limbs thromboangiitis obliterans-early and mid-term outcome report / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To summarize the outcome of revascularization for lower limbs thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) and evaluate risk factors affected outcomes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Between January 2008 and December 2011, a consecutive series of 24 TAO patients with lower limb ischemia were underwent revascularization. All the patients were male. The mean age was (33 ± 6) years (24-43 years). All patients presented with history of heavy smoking.Fifteen patients (62.5%) presented with ulcer or gangrene, 7 cases (29.2%) presented with rest pain, the rest 2 cases (8.3%) presented with severe intermittent claudication.Eight cases underwent bypass, including 6 autogenous vein graft, 1 prosthesis graft and 1 hybrid graft; 7 cases underwent catheter-directed thrombolysis combined with angioplasty; 3 cases underwent angioplasty and stenting directly; the rest 6 cases underwent thromboectomy and/or endarterectomy. The technical success, amputation and patency of target vessel were reported.Some risk factors were evaluated by multi-factors regression analysis to identify whether influenced outcomes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Seventeen cases (70.8%) harvested primary technical success. Three cases (12.5%) suffered with major amputation due to failure of revascularization.Eight cases with bypass all were successful, 4 cases with thrombolysis got success, 2 cases with primary angioplasty and stenting got success, while the 3 cases with thromboemctomy and/or endarterectomy got success. Among the 7 failed cases, 3 cases needed major amputation, 2 cases underwent re-operation, and the rest 2 cases got conservation treatment. All the patients had effective follow-up between 1 and 40 months (mean (17 ± 11) months).No death occurred during the follow-up. Primary patency, secondary patency and limb salvage rate were 45.8% (11/24), 62.5% (15/24), and 79.2% (19/24), respectively.Risk factors regression analysis showed patients with ulcer or gangrene before revascularization got significant worse outcomes (Wald = 4.018, P = 0.043) . Bypass could improve outcomes significantly (Wald = 4.016, P = 0.045) .</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Outcomes of revascularization for TAO with lower limb severe ischemia are acceptable. Autogenous vein graft bypass should be first choice. Thrombolysis with angioplasty could be a reasonable choice for those had no satisfied autogenous vein graft.</p>

Severe Mesenteric Hemorrhagic Infarction by Superior Mesenteric Arterial Occlusion in a Patient with Buerger's Disease / 대한소화기학회지

No abstract available.

A Phase I Study of Human Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy in Patients with Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Half of patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) are ineligible for revascularization at diagnosis. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and feasibility of intramuscular human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cell (hUCB-MSC) therapy in patients with CLI due to atherosclerosis obliterans (ASO) or thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO). METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of eight patients (all male, median age 52 years, range 31~77) with CLI were enrolled in this phase I trial. All patients were considered ineligible for further revascularization to improve CLI. We injected 1x10(7) hUCB-MSCs per single dose intramuscularly into the affected limb. The primary end points of safety were occurrence of adverse events (procedure-related complication, allergic reaction to hUCB-MSCs, graft-versus-host disease, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events) and improvement of symptoms/clinical parameters (healing of foot ulcer, ankle-brachial index, and pain-free walking distance). Angiogenesis was measured with conventional angiography and scored by an independent reviewer. There were four adverse events in three patients. One patient, developed whole body urticaria after injection on treatment day, which disappeared after one day of antihistamine treatment. The other adverse events included diarrhea, oral ulceration, and elevation of serum creatinine level; all conditions improved without treatment. Abnormal results of laboratory parameters were not detected in any patients. Three of four ulcerations (75%) healed completely. Angiographic scores increased in three of eight patients. CONCLUSIONS: This phase I study demonstrates that intramuscular hUCB-MSC injection is a safe and well tolerated treatment for patients with end-stage CLI due to ASO and TAO.

Searching for Hidden, Painful Osteochondral Lesions of the Ankle in Patients with Chronic Lower Limb Pain: Two Case Reports

It is easy to overlook osteochondral lesions (OCLs) of the ankle in patients with chronic lower limb pain, such as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) or thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO, Buerger's disease). A 57-year-old woman diagnosed with type 1 CRPS, and a 58-year-old man, diagnosed with TAO, complained of tactile and cold allodynia in their lower legs. After neurolytic lumbar sympathethic ganglion block and titration of medications for neuropathic pain, each subject could walk without the aid of crutches. However, they both complained of constant pain on the left ankle during walking. Focal tenderness was noted; subsequent imaging studies revealed OCLs of her talus and his distal tibia, respectively. Immediately after percutaneous osteoplasties, the patients could walk without ankle pain. It is important to consider the presence of a hidden OCL in chronic pain patients that develop weight-bearing pain and complain of localized tenderness on the ankle.

Treatment of digit ulcers in a patient with Buerger's disease by using cervical spinal cord stimulation: a case report / 대한마취과학회지

Buerger's disease (thromboangiitis obliterans) is known as a segmental inflammatory vasculitis that involves the small-sized and medium-sized arteries, veins, and nerves. Most effective treatment for Buerger's disease is smoking cessation. Except for the cessation of tobacco use, surgical revascularization is available in severe ischemia and a distal target vessel. Amputation has been used as the last treatment option of the disease up to the present. Increasing limb survival and decreasing amputation rate is important. This case describes the use of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in patient with Buerger's disease and its effect is not only the complete healing of ulcers but also amputation is not performed.

Utilização da safena magna in situ para arterialização do arco venoso do pé / The great saphenous vein in situ for the arterialization of the venous arch of the foot

CONTEXTO: O tratamento da isquemia crítica de membros inferiores sem leito arterial distal pode ser realizado por meio da inversão do fluxo no arco venoso do pé. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi apresentar a técnica e os resultados obtidos com a arterialização do arco venoso do pé, mantendo a safena magna in situ. MÉTODOS: Dezoito pacientes, dos quais 11 com aterosclerose (AO), 6 com tromboangeíte obliterante (TO) e 1 com trombose de aneurisma de artéria poplítea (TA) foram submetidos ao método. A safena magna in situ foi anastomosada à melhor artéria doadora. O fluxo arterial derivado para o sistema venoso progride por meio da veia cujas válvulas são destruídas. As colaterais da veia safena magna são ligadas desde a anastomose até o maléolo medial, a partir do qual são preservadas. RESULTADOS: Dos pacientes, 10 (55,6 por cento) mantiveram suas extremidades, 5 com AO e 5 com TO; 7 (38,9 por cento) foram amputados, 5 com AO, 1 com TO e 1 com Ta; houve 1 óbito (5,5 por cento). CONCLUSÃO: A inversão do fluxo arterial no sistema venoso do pé deve ser considerada para salvamento de extremidade com isquemia crítica sem leito arterial distal.

BACKGROUND: Critical lower limb ischemia in the absence of a distal arterial bed can be treated by arterialization of the venous arch of the foot. OBJETIVE: The objective of this paper was to present the technique and the results of the arterialization of the venous arch of the foot with the in situ great saphenous vein. METHODS: Eighteen patients, 11 with atherosclerosis (AO), 6 with thromboangiitis obliterans (TO) and 1 with popliteal artery aneurysm thrombosis were submitted to venous arch arterialization. The in situ great saphenous vein was anastomosed to the best donor artery. Arterial flow derived from the venous system progresses through the vein whose valves were destroyed. The collateral vessels of the great saphenous vein are linked from the anastomosis to the medial malleolus and preserved from this point onward. RESULTS: Limb salvage was achieved in 10 (55.6 percent) patients, 5 with AO and 5 with TO. Seven (38.9 percent) patients were amputated, 5 with AO, 1 with TO and 1 with Ta. One (5.5 percent) patient died. CONCLUSION: Arterialization of the venous system of the foot should be considered for the salvage of limbs with critical ischemia in the absence of a distal arterial bed.

Colon Ischemia Associated with Buerger's Disease: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Buerger's disease, or thromboangiitis obliterans, is a nonatherosclerotic inflammatory disease affecting the small- and medium-sized arteries and veins of the extremities (arms, hands, legs, and feet). It is most common in the Orient, Southeast Asia, India, and the Middle East, and usually affects men aged between 20 and 40 years, although it is becoming more common in women. It is well established that most such patients smoke heavily and experience an improvement in symptoms following smoking cessation. Mesenteric involvement in Buerger's disease is extremely rare; however, we describe herein two cases of colon ischemia in patients who were previously diagnosed with lower-extremity Buerger's disease. In one case, the patient developed colonic obstruction, and surgical resection was performed. Histopathologic findings were compatible with the chronic stage of Buerger's disease. In the other case, angiography revealed abrupt occlusion of the inferior mesenteric artery with numerous collateral vessels, just like the corkscrew appearance found in the extremities. If patients with established Buerger's disease of the extremities complain of gastrointestinal symptoms, early interventional diagnosis should be performed to prevent intestinal obstruction and gangrene.