Aortitis natural history, complications and prognosis

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [2] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Maliha Shakil, M.D. [3]

Overview

If left untreated, infectious aortitis is associated with a high rate of rupture and subsequent mortality. Aortitis due to either giant cell arteritis or Takayasu arteritis has a high rate of recurrence despite therapy. Common complications of aortitis include: aortic aneurysm, aortic rupture, aortic dissection, thrombus formation in the aortic lumen, and hypertension

Natural History

If untreated, aortitis has three distinct phases. The first phase is a prepulseless inflammatory stage with nonspecific symptoms such as fatigue, arthralgias, and low-grade fever. Phase two includes vascular inflammation with pain secondary to the condition, along with tenderness to palpation over the site. The last phase includes symptoms of ischemia and pain associated with the use of limbs. The limbs are cool and clammy in this stage. If left untreated, infectious aortitis is associated with a high rate of rupture and subsequent mortality. Aortitis due to either giant cell arteritis or Takayasu arteritis has a high rate of recurrence despite therapy.

Complications

Common complications of aortitis include:

• Aortic aneurysm
• Aortic rupture
• Aortic dissection
• Thrombus formation in the aortic lumen
• Hypertension