Problems of the pathogenesis, clinics, and therapy of panarteritis of the aorta and its branches

138 patients with panarteritis of the aorta and its branches were examined, and the clinical and morphological findings were compared. The disease is more widespread than has been assumed so far, and is more frequent in young women. Localization of the process in the abdominal aorta with involvement (stenosis) of renal arteries causes renovascular hypertension, which often has a malignant course, especially with an ambilateral affection of renal arteries. In the treatment, repetitive therapeutic courses with corticosteroids and heparin are of fundamental importance. With an isolated affection, especially in renovascular hypertension and disturbances of cerebral circulation, surgical treatment is also indicated.