Large Vessel Vasculitis Flashcards
what does the term ‘large vessel vasculitis’ apply to
primary vasculitis that causes chronic granulomatous inflammation predominantly of the aorta and its major branches
what are the two major categories
temporal (giant cell) and Takayasu (TA)
when does GCA usually occur
after 50
when does TA usually occur
before 50
what area of the world is TA more common in
east Asia
who does TA most commonly affect
young women in their second or third decades of life
what vessels does GCA commonly affect
temporal arteries or large vessels
what are early features of large cell vasculitis
non-specific features
- low-grade fever
- malaise
- night sweats
- weight loss
- arthralgia
- fatigue
- can experience claudicant symptoms in both upper and lower limbs
what can occur if untreated
vascular stenosis and aneurysms
results in reduced pulses and bruits
what can be used to diagnose large vessel vasculitis
elevated ESR, PV and CRP
imaging e.g MRI detects thickened walls and stenosis
what can a PE CT scan show
increased metabolic activity in large vessels
what is the mainstay of treatment
corticosteroids (40-60mg to begin gradually reducing)
steroid sparing agents like methotrexate and azathioprine can be added
