Takayasu arteritis
Overview
Takayasu’s arteritis is a rare form of vasculitis caused by inflammation of the aorta—the large artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body—and its major branches. It is believed to be immune-mediated, meaning the immune system may mistakenly attack the arteries, causing damage and narrowing.
Common Symptoms
Symptoms occur in two phases:
The first, or systemic phase, reflects active inflammation and includes fever, fatigue, weight loss, arthritis, and non-specific aches and pains.
The second, or occlusive phase, results from the narrowing of affected arteries and may include limb pain during activity, vision problems, dizziness when standing, and headaches.
Coexisting Diseases and Conditions
Rarely, Takayasu’s arteritis may occur alongside Crohn’s disease or autoimmune thyroiditis.
Risk Factors and Prevalence
Takayasu’s arteritis is most likely to develop in females who are 40 years or younger. The condition is also common among those of Asian descent.
Recent Research
- Takayasu arteritis: a geographically distant but immunologically proximal MHC-I-opathy (2025)
- Update on Takayasu arteritis: Year in review 2024 (2024)
- Updates in the diagnosis and management of Takayasu’s arteritis (2023)
- Takayasu’s Arteritis: A case report (2022)
- Neuroimaging of children with Takayasu Arteritis (2021)
- Takayasu arteritis in prenancy: A case series (2020)
Sources
- Sources
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Tacoy G. (2018). Management of Takayasu arteritis. Future cardiology, 14(2), 105–108. https://doi.org/10.2217/fca-2017-0030
F Guédon, A., Bourgade, R., Elhannani, M., Toquet, C., Espitia, O., Fain, O., & Mekinian, A. (2023). Artérite de Takayasu [Takayasu’s arteritis]. La Revue du praticien, 73(4), 400–405.
Kerr G. (1994). Takayasu’s arteritis. Current opinion in rheumatology, 6(1), 32–38. https://doi.org/10.1097/00002281-199401000-00006
Esatoglu, Sinem Nihal; Hatemi, Gulen. Takayasu arteritis. Current Opinion in Rheumatology 34(1):p 18-24, January 2022. | DOI: 10.1097/BOR.0000000000000852
Espinoza, J. L., Ai, S., & Matsumura, I. (2018). New Insights on the Pathogenesis of Takayasu Arteritis: Revisiting the Microbial Theory. Pathogens, 7(3), 73. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens7030073
Takayasu’s Arteritis. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/Takayasus-Arteritis
What is the difference between Takayasu’s and giant cell arteritis? (n.d.). Vasculitis Foundation. Retrieved from https://www.vasculitisfoundation.org/mcm_faq/what-is-the-difference-between-takayasus-and-giant-cell-arteritis/
Wan, J., et al. (2020). Comparison of Clinical Features at the Onset of Takayasu’s Arteritis According to Age and Sex. Current vascular pharmacology, 18(1), 80–86. https://doi.org/10.2174/1570161117666190621152506