Chronic arterial occlusive disease

Chronic arterial occlusive disease is a highly prevalent peripheral vascular disorder. This disease is caused by arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO), thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger's disease), primary arterial thrombosis, embolism and so on. Of these, ASO is the most frequently encountered. Although differing clinically and pathologically, these diseases are similar in that they cause ischemia of tissues. The symptoms of chronic occlusive arterial disease result from impairment of blood flow to the extremities. Intermittent claudication is the commonest and usually the earliest symptom.