Complications
Symptomatic Buerger disease for >8 years has been associated with premature atherosclerosis.[64]
Patients often present with an acutely ischemic leg where gangrene develops over the next few days following admission to the hospital as the tissue demarcates. Often a gangrenous toe is present.
Patients who continue to smoke have a 19% major amputation rate; this is 2.73 times greater than for people who have ceased smoking, according to one study.[32][34] Smoking increases flare-ups and reduces ulcer healing. A return to smoking following cessation may lead to a flare-up of the disease. Smoking only 1 or 2 cigarettes a day, using smokeless tobacco (chewing tobacco), or using nicotine replacement therapy may all keep the disease active.[19][20]
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