Takayasu's arteritis (patient information)

Xyz
Overview
What are the symptoms?
What are the causes?
Who is at highest risk?
Diagnosis
When to seek urgent medical care?
Treatment options
Where to find medical care for Xyz?
Prevention
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Possible complications
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Shaghayegh Habibi, M.D.[2]

What are the Symptoms of Takayasu's arteritis?

Symptoms may include:

• Arm weakness or pain with use
• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Lightheadedness
• Muscle or joint pain
• Skin rash
• Night sweats
• Vision changes
• Weight loss
• Decreased radial pulses (at the wrist)
• Difference in blood pressure between the two arms
• High blood pressure (hypertension)

Treatment Options

Treatment of Takayasu arteritis is difficult. However, people who have the right treatment can see improvement. It is important to identify the condition early.

MEDICINES

• Most people are first treated with high doses of steroids. Immunosuppressive drugs, such as azathioprine, mycophenolate, methotrexate, or leflunomide are often added.
• Biologic agents including TNF inhibitors such as infliximab are recommended for people who do not improve with the previous treatment.
• Other biologic agents that show promising benefits for treating Takayasu's arteritis include tocilizumab, and rituximab.

SURGERY

• Surgery or angioplasty may be used to open up narrowed arteries to supply blood or open up the constriction.
• Aortic valve replacement may be needed in some cases.

Where to find Medical Care for Takayasu's arteritis?

Medical care for Takayasu's arteritis can be found here.

What to Expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

This disease can be fatal without treatment. However, a combined treatment approach using medicines and surgery has lowered death rates. Adults have a better chance of survival than children.

Possible Complications

Complications may include:

• Blood clot
• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Pericarditis
• Aortic valve insufficiency
• Pleuritis
• Stroke
• Gastrointestinal bleeding or pain from blockage of bowel blood vessels

Sources

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000434.htm