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Takayasu arteritis   

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment

Alternative names:

Pulseless disease

Definition:

An inflammatory condition of the aorta and its major branches.

Causes and Risks

The cause of Takayasu arteritis is unknown. The disease occurs almost exclusively in young women, many of who are of Asian or African descent. It appears to be autoimmune in nature and may involve systems other than just the heart's aorta and its major branches.

Because of changes in the aorta and its branches (those that feed the head, neck, and upper limb areas) patients may have decreased or absent radial pulses (pulse in the wrist). Inflammation in the carotid arteries (supplying the brain) may cause visual problems or neurological problems. Decreased blood flow to the kidneys often causes hypertension. Rupture of affected vessels may occur following the formation of aneurysms.

Systemic complaints may include fever, rash, muscle aches (myalgia), and arthritis. Chest pain can develop due to inflammation of either the lining of the chest cavity (pleuritis) or the sack-like covering of the heart, (pericarditis).

Survival in adults is better than in children.

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