Vasculitis

Thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO), also known as Buerger's disease, is a chronic, recurrent, inflammatory, and segmental occlusive disease of the blood vessels, primarily affecting the small and medium-sized arteries and veins of the distal extremities. This disease is the most common type of chronic peripheral vascular disease in China, predominantly affecting male smokers, especially young and middle-aged men. The main symptoms include limb ischemia, severe pain, intermittent claudication, weakened or absent dorsalis pedis artery pulsation, and migratory superficial arteritis. In severe cases, limb ulcers or necrosis may occur.