• It is a granulomatous and stenotic vasculitis especially involving large vessels such as the aortic arch and its branches.
• It is also called "pulseless disease".
Clinical Findings
• The most common vessel segment with angiographic anomalies is the subclavian artery.
As a result, claudication in the upper extremity and a difference in blood pressure and pulse between the extremities can be seen.
• It can cause many ischemic lesions by also involving other large arteries (changes in vision, syncope, stroke, abdominal pain, hypertension, kidney failure, aortic failure, heart failure, etc.).
Diagnosis
• In a young female patient with systemic findings (fever, acute phase response, constitutional symptom); Decrease in peripheral pulses, difference in blood pressure-pulse between extremities, claudication in extremities, presence of murmur over great vessels should bring to mind Takayasu's arteritis.
• Unlike other vasculitides, biopsy has a very limited place in the diagnosis of Takayasu's arteritis. The diagnosis of the disease is made mainly by angiography.
• Characteristic angiographic findings; stenoses and poststenotic dilatations, aneurysms and occlusions.
Treatment
• The main treatment is steroids.