Journal of Vasculitis

Takayasu Arteritis: An Overview

Abstract

Acucena de Oliveira Borges, Gustavo Almeida Linhares, Leticia Goes Pereira, Rafaela de Morais Fernandes, Yarla Resende Oliveira, Laura Gomes Lima, Eriston Vieira Gomes

Takayasu arteritis is a chronic vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessel wall) that affects the largest artery in the human body, the aorta, and its main branches. It is a disease which currently does not have a definitive cure and is of idiopathic aetiology. It predominantly affects women (80 to 90% of the affected people are female), aged 10 to 40 years, with a higher prevalence in Asian countries. Its symptoms start from simple systemic manifestations and may lead to serious complications in vital organs, such as congestive heart failure, stroke, and even death. As this is a rare disease, it is essential to be attentive to the minimum signs of its pathology and seeking an early diagnosis, consequently reducing the chance of mortality. This review aims to describe the symptoms of this pathology.The diagnostic methods present the main therapeutic approach and highlight the importance of an early diagnosis for the reduction of the complications caused by this health condition.