Efficacy of Endovascular Radiofrequency Ablation for Thromboangiitis Obliterans (Buerger's Disease).
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of endovascular radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO).


METHODS
Total 30 males (median age: 46.00 years, interquartile range: 42.00-51.25 years) with unilateral TAO in the lower extremity underwent RFA were retrospectively enrolled from January 2013 and October 2013. The pre-operative and post-operative digital subtraction angiographic (DSA) images were recorded. Pain scores preoperatively and postoperatively were assessed according to the World Health Organization Pain Guideline. The values of ankle brachial index (ABI) at pre-operation, post-operation, 2 weeks and 2 years after surgery were all recorded and analyzed. Additionally, a 2-year follow up was performed by a computed tomographic angiography (CTA) image.


RESULTS
The DSA images indicated that occlusion of femoral artery was improved after surgery. Moreover, there was no recurrence of TAO at 2 years of follow-up based on the CTA images. The pain score (P < 0.001) was significantly deceased after surgery. The values of ABI at postoperation, 2 weeks after surgery, and 2 years after surgery were all significantly higher than the preoperative ABI (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the values of ABI at 2 weeks after surgery and 2 years after surgery were all significantly higher than the postoperative ABI (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
These results supported the application of endovascular RFA for treating TAO.
Department of Vascular Surgery, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan Affiliated Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China. Electronic address: tangjdong677@hotmail.com.
Jingdong
J
Tang
Department of Vascular Surgery, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
Shujie
S
Gan
Department of Vascular Surgery, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
Miao
M
Zheng
Department of Vascular Surgery, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
Yongxin
Y
Jiang
Department of Vascular Surgery, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
Yiwen
Y
Feng
Department of Vascular Surgery, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
Jiong
J
Miao
D000328:Adult; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D055109:Ankle Brachial Index; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D000072226:Computed Tomography Angiography; D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D013919:Thromboangiitis Obliterans / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014654:Vascular Patency