Complex Presentation of Takayasu Arteritis in a Young Female: A Diagnostic Dilemma

Takayasu arteritis (TA), a rare systemic granulomatous large-vessel vasculitis, can present with a broad spectrum of symptoms, complicating its diagnosis and management. This case highlights the delayed diagnosis of TA in a 16-year-old Asian girl presenting with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. The patient's clinical course included persistent headache, hypertension, viral pneumonia, and a history of patent foramen ovale closure, which collectively masked the underlying diagnosis. Advanced imaging modalities, including high-resolution magnetic resonance vascular wall imaging and cardiac magnetic resonance, confirmed the diagnosis of TA after initial misdiagnoses. Treatment with immunosuppressive therapy, including intravenous methylprednisolone and oral methotrexate, led to significant clinical improvement. This case underscores the importance of considering TA in young patients with unexplained systemic inflammation and utilizing multimodal imaging techniques for early detection. Timely diagnosis and intervention are essential to improve outcomes in complex cases involving TA.