Takayasu Arteritis: Recent Developments

Abstract

Purpose of review: Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a granulomatous inflammatory disorder that affects large vessels, especially aorta and its proximal branches. Its diagnosis can be extremely challenging due to the non-specificity of the systemic inflammatory manifestations during the early phase of the disease and usually follows an insidious clinical course until the emergence of vascular ischemic complications.

Recent findings: Its pathogenesis has been better delineated in recent years, especially the role of HLA-B^*52 allele in certain ethnic groups, as well as the use of biological therapy, and surgical revascularization. Recent findings are discussed in depth. Clinical and epidemiological aspects of TA, recent developments in pathogenesis, and therapy are presented.

Keywords: Aortitis; Biologic therapy; Granulomatous disease; Imaging studies; Surgical revascularization; Vasculitis.