Buerger's disease.

Buerger's disease (thromboangiitis obliterans) is rarely seen in most clinical practices. Many advanced practice nurses may only see one or two cases in their lifetime, and some hospital-based nurses may never see the disease. Information about this occlusive peripheral arterial disease must be obtained for the vascular nurse to care for patients with the disease. The subject of Buerger's disease is not common in the literature, and little is found in nursing texts or journals. The care of the disease involves nursing emphasis on lifestyle changes. This article will address definition, history, review of literature, and pathophysiology. The recommendations for diagnosis, treatment, and nursing care interventions also will be reviewed.