Inpatient treatment of severe nicotine dependence in a patient with thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger's disease).
Thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO), or Buerger's disease, is an inflammatory, occlusive, and nonatherosclerotic vascular disease that most commonly affects small and medium-sized arteries and veins. The association between tobacco use and the development of TAO is incontestable; however, a substantial number of patients with TAO continue to use tobacco despite progression of disease and amputation. Herein we describe a patient with advanced TAO whose severe, refractory nicotine dependence was successfully treated in a specialized nicotine-dependence inpatient program. After cessation of smoking, the patient's disease stabilized. Inpatient nicotine-dependence treatment may represent an alternative for recidivist smokers with severe tobacco-related disease.
Hooten
W M
WM
Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
Bruns
H K
HK
Hays
J T
JT
D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D018450:Disease Progression; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010343:Patient Admission; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D013919:Thromboangiitis Obliterans / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome