Medicine & USMLE

Takayasu Arteritis

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Vasculitides
  1. Giant Cell (Temporal) Arteritis
  2. Henoch-Schonlein Purpura
  3. Takayasu Arteritis
  4. Buerger Disease (Thromboangiitis Obliterans)
  5. Behcet Disease
  6. Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis
  7. Mixed Cryoglobulinemia
  8. Microscopic Polyangiitis
  9. Kawasaki Disease

Takayasu arteritis is a large vessel vasculitis that classically affects Asian women younger than 40 years of age. The vasculitis typically involves branches of the aortic arch, and reduced blood flow to the upper extremities can result in diminished pulses, which is why the disease is also called “Pulseless disease”. Other clinical findings include joint pain, fevers, night sweats, and ocular disturbances. Biopsy of blood vessels will reveal granulomatous inflammation, and laboratory findings include an elevated ESR. Treatment includes the administration of corticosteroids.