Upper extremity arterial occlusive disease managed through Leech application and Adjuvant Ayurveda medicines –A Case Report

Abstract

Upper extremity arterial occlusive disease is a rare condition in clinical practice. A 37-year- old woman diagnosed with left upper extremity arterial occlusive disease, came to OPD, Govt. Ayurveda hospital, Tripunithura, Ernakulam, Kerala, India, presented with gangrene and ischemic changes on her index and middle finger (fig 1&2). Even after stellate ganglion block twice, she had severe pain.  She underwent treatment following vatarakta and nijavrana chikitsa protocol including jaloukavacharana at regular intervals. Ayurveda classics specifies different sneha preprations internally and externally in the treatment of vatarakta. Internal sneha   preparations mentioned in Brihatrayees in the context of vatarakta includes Jeevanthaydi ghrita, Madhuparnyadi taila, and Ksheerabala.External sneha preprations are Ksheerabala,Balaguduchyadi taila and Pinda taila with pancakarma therapies and jalouka  The patient showed marked changes in symptoms such as pain relief and arrested gangrene progression. In upper extremity arterial occlusive diseases, we can adopt vatarakta and nijavrana chikitsa protocol even in gangrenous stage.