Takayasu arteritis: a review

Abstract

Takayasu arteritis is a well known yet rare form of large vessel vasculitis. This review details the history, clinical features, differential diagnoses, classification, and immunology of the disorder. Suppression of inflammation and preservation of vascular competence are the aims of treatment. As with any rare disease, randomised controlled treatment trials are either lacking or based on small patient numbers, making management decisions difficult. Current evidence based treatments are presented and discussed.

Figure 1

Arch aortogram demonstrating (A) a severely narrowed right common carotid artery, (B) occlusion of the left common carotid artery and, (C) proximal stenosis of the left subclavian artery. (D) The right vertebral artery provides the dominant cerebral supply.

Figure 2

Arch aortogram demonstrating severe involvement of all extracranial vessels; the descending thoracic aorta appears to be normal.