Takayasu arteritis

[Dorothey Allen]

Takayasu arteritis causes chronic blood vessel inflammation, mainly of the aorta (the artery that connects directly with the heart), the arteries that branch off from it, and the pulmonary arteries.

The cause of Takayasu arteritis is unknown.
People may have general symptoms, such as fever or muscle or joint aches, followed by specific symptoms depending on which organs are affected.
An imaging test of the aorta is done to confirm the diagnosis.
A corticosteroid and sometimes another drug that suppresses the immune system can usually control the inflammation.

(See Overview of Vasculitis.)
Takayasu arteritis is rare. It is more common among Asians but occurs worldwide. It affects mostly women aged 15 to 30. The cause of Takayasu arteritis is unknown.
The aorta and its branches, including arteries that take blood to the head and the kidneys, become inflamed. In about half of people, the pulmonary arteries are also affected. Inflammation may cause sections of these arteries to become narrow or blocked. The walls of the aorta or its branches may thicken, resulting in a bulge (aneurysm). The affected arteries cannot provide enough blood to the tissues they supply.