INPATIENT TREATMENT OF SEVERE NICOTINE DEPENDENCE IN A PATIENT WITH THROMBOANGIITIS-OBLITERANS (BUERGERS-DISEASE)

Thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO), or Buerger's disease, is an inflamma tory, occlusive, and nonatherosclerotic vascular disease that most com monly affects small and medium-sized arteries and veins. The associati on between tobacco use and the development of TAO is incontestable; ho wever, a substantial number of patients with TAO continue to use tobac co despite progression of disease and amputation. Herein we describe a patient with advanced TAO whose severe, refractory nicotine dependenc e was successfully treated in a specialized nicotine-dependence inpati ent program. After cessation of smoking, the patient's disease stabili zed, Inpatient nicotine-dependence treatment may represent an alternat ive for recidivist smokers with severe tobacco-related disease.