Takayasu’s Arteritis: A Review Article
J. Al-Bishri *
Department of Internal Medicine, Taif University Consultant Rheumatology, Al Hada Hospital; P.O. Box 11135, 21944 KSA.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
We selected the medicine research papers in English language published from the year 2005 to the date to determine the clinical significance of Takayasu’s arteritis (TA) and to review the literature available on this condition. TA is a world-wide, chronic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology. It is more prevalent in Asian countries. There are no specific laboratory tests to diagnose TA as it usually presents with non-specific symptoms such as fatigue, fever, arthralgia, weight loss, malaise, weakness and vision changes. Angiographic imaging is considered to be the gold standard investigation in diagnosing TA. Steroids with subsequent tapering doses are the mainstay of medical treatment; however, for addressing the refractory cases additional therapy becomes necessary. Reconstructive vascular surgery is limited to the severe and irreversible stenotic lesions where surgery becomes inevitable.
Keywords: Takayasu’s arteritis, TA, Takayasu’s arteritis in women, takayasu’s arteritis in children, diagnosis, treatment.