Takayasu arteritis

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Heart, section through the middle

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Takayasu arteritis

Alternative Names:

Pulseless disease

Treatment:

Treatment of Takayasu arteritis is difficult, but results with appropriate therapy are encouraging. Early detection is important. Steroids and immunosuppressive agents form the cornerstone of treatment, with surgery reserved for complications caused by narrowed arteries.

Surgery to bypass narrowed arteries may be necessary to supply blood beyond the constriction.

Expectations (prognosis):

This disease can be fatal. However, with a combination of aggressive medical and surgical therapy, mortality (death) rates have dropped dramatically. In well-managed cases of Takayasu arteritis, the long-term survival rate is greater than 90%.

Complications:

Pericarditis
Pleuritis
Myocardial infarction (heart attack)

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of this condition. Weak pulse, chest pain, and breathing difficulty require immediate care.

Review Date: 5/3/2006
Reviewed By: Steve Lee, DO, Rheumatology Fellow, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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