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 P P Conclusions These results supported the application of endovascular RFA for treating TAO.