Takayasu arteritis

Takayasu arteritis is a severe inflammatory vascular disorder that can involve the thoracic or abdominal aorta and their branches as well as the pulmonary artery. It has a much higher incidence in women than in men, and is most frequently found in Asia, although known in North America, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Clinical presentation depends on the location and severity of the aortic branch lesions. Diagnosis is difficult, and treatment options include corticosteroids, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, or surgical bypass. The case of an Indian woman requiring bypass surgery is presented here, with indications for diagnostic and treatment strategy in other patients.