Takayasu arteritis

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Takayasu arteritis

Definition

Takayasu arteritis is an inflammation of the aorta -- the artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body -- and its major branches.

Alternative Names

Pulseless disease

Causes

The cause of Takayasu arteritis is unknown. The disease occurs mainly in children and women younger than 30, especially those who are of Asian or African descent.

It appears to be an autoimmune condition, where immune cells are wrongly targeted against the body's own tissues, and it may involve other systems.

References

Maksimowicz-McKinnon, K. Takayasu arteritis: what is the long-term prognosis?Rheum Dis Clin North Am, 2007;33:777-786.


Heart, section through the middle

Review Date: 1/17/2008
Reviewed By: Neil J. Gonter, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Columbia University, NY and private practice specializing in Rheumatology at Rheumatology Associates of North Jersey, Teaneck, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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