Takayasu arteritis revisited: current diagnosis and treatment

Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a rare nonspecific inflammatory disease of unknown cause, predominantly affecting the aorta and its main branches, coronary arteries, and pulmonary arteries of young females. It induces a variety of nonspecific inflammatory symptoms and ischemic symptoms due to stenotic lesions. Further progression of TA causes destruction of the arterial wall media, leading to aortic regurgitation and aneurysms or rupture of the involved arteries. Although serological tests specific for TA are not available, new better biomarkers are emerging such as pentraxin3 and matrix metalloproteinases. Recent advances in imaging modalities including magnetic resonance angiography, computed tomography (CT), sonography, and fluorodeoxy glucose positron emission tomography/CT (FDG-PET/CT) allow earlier and accurate diagnosis of TA. Duration between onset of the disease and diagnosis has become much shorter during the last decade. Medical treatment for TA is also changing. In addition to the traditional glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants, many new biological agents are being applied to patients with TA refractory to conventional treatment with favorable results. As for treatment for vascular complications, efficacy of endovascular treatment is still a matter of controversy because of the high rate of restenosis at an early stage after the procedure. Based on these advances, the prognosis and quality of life of TA patients have improved to a great deal. However, there are many issues that remain to be solved in the management of TA.