Giant cell arteritis: Role of surgery in the management of vascular complications

Apart from life-threatening and/or functional emergencies, treatment of vascular lesions in giant cell arteritis (GCA) is medical. Revascularization may be considered if the lesion remains symptomatic or progressive despite optimal medical treatment, provided that there is no disease-related inflammation, and always managed by a team of trained experts. The main risk associated with aortic involvement (aortitis) is the development of an aneurysm, most often in the thoracic aorta, after several years of progression. Indications and surgical techniques used to manage these aneurysms follow the recommendations for the general population. In peripheral artery disease, lesions are characterized by parietal thickening, stenosis and sometimes occlusion, which can lead to exertional claudication or chronic permanent ischemia. Open or endovascular surgical management of these stenotic lesions is frequently complicated by restenosis. The role of endovascular techniques in the management of inflammatory lesions is debated, but there is a preference for open surgery, particularly in the lower limbs. Cervical and cerebral arteries also present a risk of stenosis leading to stroke. Balloon dilation and/or stenting of cervical or cerebral arteries during GCA carries a high-risk of rupture and restenosis, and remains a rescue treatment limited to certain specific cases of stroke where there are concerns about patient prognosis in the absence of intervention.