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Inflammatory diseases of the aortic arch resulting in obstruction of the aorta and its major arteries characterize this major group of Takayasu's arteritis is also termed pulseless disease because of the frequent occlusion of the large arteries originating from the aorta. It also may involve the descending thoracic and abdominal aorta and occlude large branches such as the renal arteries. Aortic aneurysms may also occur. The pathology is a panarteritis with marked intimal hyperplasia, medial and adventitial thickening, and, in chronic form, fibrotic occlusion. The disease is most prevalent in young females of Asian descent.
During the acute stage, fever, malaise, weight loss, and other systemic symptoms may be evident. An elevation of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate is common. The chronic stages of the disease present with symptoms related to large artery occlusion, such as upper extremity claudication, cerebral ischemia, and syncope.
Since the process is progressive and there is no definitive therapy, the prognosis is usually poor. Glucocorticoids and immunosuppressive agents have been reported to be effective in some patients during the acute phase. Occasionally, anticoagulation prevents thrombosis and complete occlusion of a large artery. Surgical bypass of a critically stenotic
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Diseases Of The Aorta: Classification And Etiology |
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Aortic aneurysm Atherosclerosis Cystic medial necrosis Syphilitic infection Mycotic infection Rheumatic aortitis Trauma Aortic dissection Cystic medial necrosis Systemic hypertension Atherosclerosis Aortic occlusion Atherosclerosis Thromboembolism Aortitis Syphilitic aortitis Rheumatic aortitis Takayasu's arteritis and aortic arch syndromes Giant cell arteritis |
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