Buerger’s sign DESCRIPTION In patients with suspected vascular disease, when the patient lies on his/her back with the leg elevated for at least a few minutes, the foot becomes white; when the patient sits upright with the legs hanging down, the limb turns dark red. CONDITION/S ASSOCIATED WITH • Peripheral vascular disease MECHANISM/S Partial or total occlusion of the arteries of the leg by emboli or thrombosis leads to limited vascular flow to the distal leg andfoot. Raising the leg further worsens arterial blood flow to the limb, causing the foot to become white. When the foot is then placed close to the ground, gravity assists flow to the distal limb and, along with compensatory peripheral vasodilatation (in response to poor perfusion), the leg quickly turns red. SIGN VALUE A positive Buerger’s sign indicates severe limb-threatening ischaemia and should be treated immediately.
Posted on: Thu, 10 Jul 2014 06:12:25 +0000
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