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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffTakayasu's arteritis is a rare type of vasculitis, a group of disorders that cause blood vessel inflammation. In Takayasu's ateritis, the inflammation damages the aorta — the large artery that carries blood from your heart to the rest of your body — and the aorta's main branches. This can lead to arm or chest pain, high blood pressure, and eventually to heart failure or stroke.
Takayasu's arteritis mainly affects young girls and women under 40. Although the exact cause isn't known, it's possible that an infection triggers Takayasu's arteritis in people with a genetic predisposition.
The goal of treatment is to relieve inflammation in the arteries and prevent potential complications. Even with early detection and treatment, however, Takayasu's arteritis can be challenging to manage.
- Anton E. Large vessel arteritis: A diagnostic challenge in the elderly. Journal of Clinical Pathology. 2005;58(7):782.
- Vasculitis syndromes of the central and peripheral nervous systems fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/vasculitis/detail_vasculitis.htm. Accessed Aug. 8, 2008.
- Johnston SL, et al. Takayasu arteritis: A review. Journal of Clinical Pathology. 2002;55(7):481-486.
- Takayasu's arteritis. Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec05/ch069/ch069f.html. Accessed Aug. 8, 2008.
- Kis B, et al. Severe supraaortal atherosclerotic disease resembling Takayasu's arteritis. Vascular Health Risk Management. 2007;3(3):351-354.
- Kissin EY, et al. Diagnostic imaging in Takayasu arteritis. Current Opinion in Rheumatology. 2004;16(3):31-37.
- Liang P, et al. Advances in the medical and surgical treatment of Takayasu arteritis. Current Opinion in Rheumatology. 2005;17(1):16-24.
- de Franciscis S, et al. The management of Takayasu's arteritis: Personal experience. Annals of Vascular Surgery. 2007;21(6):754-760.
