takayasu arteritis

Question 1

who gets

Answer 1

younger women 10-40 and people of asian descent. 9:1 female predominance. rare disease

Question 2

which vessels

Answer 2

large vessels are affected

Question 3

systemic phase

Answer 3

first phase. active inflammatory illness with constitutional symptoms. arthritis and aches and pains.

Question 4

occlusive phase

Answer 4

second phase. this involves the narrowing of arteries. symptoms include claudication, pain in the limbs, occlusion to the extent of lack of pulses in the extremities. bruits are common. high BP is also common (note renal involvement can cause malignant hypertension).

Question 5

subclavian steal syndrome

Answer 5

where the blood in the vertebral or the internal thoracic arteries is lost due to retrograde flow of the subclavian arteries. can cause syncope

Question 6

causes and associations

Answer 6

this is indistinguishable from giant cell arteritis. it is a granulomatous vasculitis involving the aorta and major branches.

Question 7

treat

Answer 7

prednisone. methotrexate is a non steroidal alternative. angioplasty and vascular bypass usually work.