title: Takayasu arteritis in a young woman: a 4-year case history.
abstract: Takayasu arteritis is a chronic, progressive, autoimmune, idiopathic, large-vessel vasculitis that usually affects young adults. The disease has been reported to occur in all races and ethnicities. The diffuse nature of this vasculitis can affect multiple-organ systems to varying degrees. Herein, we report the case of a young woman whose exertional angina and claudication were the initial presentation of active Takayasu arteritis. During more than 4 years of ongoing treatment, therapy, and follow-up, she has displayed differing disease symptoms of varying intensity. We discuss the challenges of managing Takayasu arteritis in our patient and describe different treatments for this rare vasculitic disorder.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Baystate Medical Center-Tufts University School of Medicine, Springfield, Massachusetts 01199, USA. fadi.saab@bhs.org
authors.forename: Fadi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Saab
authors.forename: Robert P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Giugliano
authors.forename: Gregory R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Giugliano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000209:etiology; D001027:Aortography / Q000379:methods; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000209:etiology; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013625:Takayasu Arteritis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents