Takayasu arteritis

A systemic vasculitis of the large arteries, especially aorta

Clinical Presentation

• “Pulseless disease” with limb claudication or pulselessness
• Usually onset <40 year
• Constitutional symptoms, arterial bruits, blood pressure discrepancies between limbs, hypertension (from RAS)
• Ischemia anywhere, really

ACR Criteria

Diagnosed if three or more of the following six criteria are present:

• Age at onset ≤40 years
• Claudication of the extremities
• Decreased pulsation of one or both brachial arteries
• Difference of ≥10 mmHg between the arms
• Bruit over one or both subclavian arteries or the abdominal aorta
• Arteriographic narrowing or occlusion of the entire aorta, its primary branches, or large arteries in the proximal upper and lower extremities, not otherwise explained

Further Reading

• ACR Diagnostic Criteria 2010