Takayasu arteritis
Takayasu arteritis is an inflammation of large arteries such as the aorta and its major branches. The aorta is the artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
Its major branches
The aortic arch is the top part of the main artery carrying blood away from the heart. Aortic arch syndrome refers to a group of signs and symptoms ...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleCauses
The cause of Takayasu arteritis is not known. The disease occurs mainly in children and women between the ages of 20 to 40. It is more common in people of East Asian, Indian or Mexican descent. However, it is now being seen more often in other parts of the world. Several genes that increase the chance of having this problem were recently found.
Takayasu arteritis appears to be an autoimmune condition. This means the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in the blood vessel wall. The condition may also involve other organ systems.
This condition has many features that are similar to giant cell arteritis or temporal arteritis in older people.
Temporal arteritis
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is inflammation and damage to the blood vessels that supply blood to the head, neck, upper body and arms. It is also call...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleSymptoms
Symptoms may include:
- Arm weakness or pain with use
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Lightheadedness
- Muscle or joint pain
- Skin rash
- Night sweats
- Vision changes
- Weight loss
- Decreased radial pulses (at the wrist)
- Difference in blood pressure between the two arms
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
Hypertension
Blood pressure is a measurement of the force exerted against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood to your body. Hypertension is the ...
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There may also be signs of inflammation (pericarditis or pleuritis).
Pericarditis
Pericarditis is a condition in which the sac-like covering around the heart (pericardium) becomes inflamed.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticlePleuritis
Pleurisy is an inflammation of the lining of the lungs and chest (the pleura) that leads to chest pain when you take a breath or cough.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleExams and Tests
Possible tests include:
- Angiogram, including coronary angiography
Angiogram
Coronary angiography is a procedure that uses a special dye (contrast material) and x-rays to see how blood flows through the arteries in your heart....
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Complete blood count (CBC)
Complete blood count
A complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - C-reactive protein (CRP)
C-reactive protein
C-reactive protein (CRP) is produced by the liver. The level of CRP rises when there is inflammation in the body. It is one of a group of proteins,...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Electrocardiogram
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
ESR stands for erythrocyte sedimentation rate. It is commonly called a "sed rate. "It is a test that indirectly measures the level of certain protei...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)
Magnetic resonance angiography
Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is an MRI exam of the blood vessels. Unlike traditional angiography that involves placing a tube (catheter) int...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Magnetic resonance imaging
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the body. It does not us...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Computed tomography angiography (CTA)
Computed tomography angiography
A computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body. Related tests include:Abdomin...
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- Ultrasound
Ultrasound
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to make images of organs and structures inside the body.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - X-ray of the chest
X-ray of the chest
A chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.
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Treatment
Treatment of Takayasu arteritis is difficult. However, people who have the right treatment can improve. It is important to identify the condition early. The disease tends to be chronic, requiring long-term use of anti-inflammatory medicines.
MEDICINES
Most people are first treated with high doses of corticosteroids such as prednisone. As the disease is controlled the dose of prednisone is decreased.
In almost all cases, immunosuppressive medicines are added to reduce the need for long-term use of prednisone and yet maintain control of the disease.
Conventional immunosuppressive medicines such as methotrexate, azathioprine, mycophenolate, cyclophosphamide, or leflunomide are often added.
Biologic medicines may also be effective. These include TNF inhibitors such as infliximab, etanercept, and tocilizumab.
SURGERY
Surgery or angioplasty may be used to open up narrowed arteries to supply blood or open up the constriction.
Surgery or angioplasty may be used to o...
Angioplasty is a procedure to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels that supply blood to the heart. These blood vessels are called the coronary art...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleAortic valve replacement may be needed in some cases.
Outlook (Prognosis)
This disease can be fatal without treatment. However, a combined treatment approach using medicines and surgery has reduced death rates. Adults have a better chance of survival than children.
Possible Complications
Complications may include:
- Blood clot
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Pericarditis
- Aortic valve insufficiency
- Pleuritis
- Stroke
- Gastrointestinal bleeding or pain from blockage of bowel blood vessels
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your health care provider if you have symptoms of this condition. Immediate care is needed if you have:
- Weak pulse
- Chest pain
- Breathing difficulty
Reviewed By
Neil J. Gonter, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Columbia University, NY and private practice specializing in Rheumatology at Rheumatology Associates of North Jersey, Teaneck, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Beckman JA. Diseases of the aorta. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 63.
Ehlert BA. Takayasu disease. In: Sidawy AN, Perler BA, eds. Rutherford's Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 140.
Hellman DB. Giant cell arteritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, and takayasu's arteritis. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Gabriel SE, Koretzky GA, McInnes IB, O'Dell JR, eds. Firestein & Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 93.