Granulomatous coronary arteritis (Takayasu's disease)

The pathologic findings in two patients who died of nonspecific, granulomatous, coronary arteritis (Takayasu's disease) were studied. In one patient, the disease involved the aortic base, with extension into the aortic valve, coronary arteries, and interventricular septum, causing sudden death. Segmental involvement of the abdominal aorta produced an aneurysm. The other patient showed proximal coronary-artery involvement, with severe stenosis and resulting acute myocardial infarction. Newly developed lesions were found in the splenic and renal arteries. The aortic arch was not involved in either patient.