Long-term survival after surgical treatment of patients with Takayasu's arteritis

Severe aortic valve regurgitation in patient with Takayasu arteritis: a case report

Background

Takayasu arteritis (TAK) is a systemic non-inflammatory vasculitis that primarily affects large- and medium-sized arteries.

Case summary

We report the case of a 57-year-old woman with a history of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) 7 years prior, who was referred for a stress echo due to chest pain. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed the left ventricle at the upper limits of normal with preserved contractility, as well as circumferential thickening of the aortic root, causing severe aortic regurgitation (AR). Cardiac computed tomography and angiography demonstrated diffuse thickening of the aortic wall from the aortic root to the descending thoracic aorta, extending to the left carotid artery and significant stenosis of the left subclavian artery. Coronary angiography showed severe narrowing of the left main coronary ostium with ostial stenosis and total occlusion of the right coronary and left internal mammary arteries. Magnetic angiography highlighted thickening of the aortic wall, while no active inflammation was detected on positron emission tomography. These findings suggested Takayasu aortitis with chronic inflammation.

Discussion

In young patients, particularly women, who present with angina and coronary ostial stenosis, Takayasu arteritis should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Aortic regurgitation (AR) is a serious complication, and its surgical management can be challenging.

Outcome of Open Repair of Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm in Takayasu Arteritis: A Retrospective Analysis

BACKGROUND

Takayasu Arteritis (TA) is an immune mediated arteritis causing inflammation of the aorta and its branches, which can result in aortic aneurysms. Our aim is to describe the outcome of surgical management in these patients who presented with Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA).

METHODS

Between 2003 and 2023, 40 TA patients with TAAA underwent operative repair.

RESULTS

There were 24 females and 16 males, in the age group of 19-53 years, with hypertension in 20 patients. Raised Erythrocyte sedimentation Rate was present in 13 patients. According to Crawford classification, there were 2 patients with type I, 2 with type II, 17 with type III, 12 patients with type IV and 7 with type V aneurysm. Multiple steno-occlusive lesions of aortic branches were present in 21 patients, with majority affecting the renal artery. Femoral Artery Femoral Vein Partial cardiopulmonary bypass was used for types I, II, III and V. Separate bypass to visceral branches was done in eight patients, of whom five had multiple bypasses and three patients only had renal bypass. Twelve patients underwent reimplantation of branches, out of which nine had multiple vessel reimplantation. Four patients underwent staged repair of the aneurysm, which included visceral debranching in the first day, followed by repair of the aneurysm in the next day. In the immediate postoperative period, ten patients developed acute kidney injury and two required dialysis. Other morbidities included acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), spinal cord dysfunction, bleeding, and wound complications. Three patients expired in the immediate postoperative period. Mean duration of intensive care unit stay was 4.1 days and hospital stay was 12.7 days. Comparison of disease activity with morbidity and mortality was statistically insignificant. Patients were on follow-up for a range of 6 months to 14 years and median follow-up of 25 months. Over this time period four patients expired and four developed anastomotic pseudoaneurysm requiring intervention. On comparing the disease activity at the time of surgery with the long-term arteritis related complications that required intervention, the P value was 0.653 and hence statistically not significant. The 10-year survival rate is 84.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical repair has good and satisfactory outcome, with low early and late mortality rates. Progression of disease can occur at any stage of the disease, hence indicating the need for long term follow-up and frequent imaging.

Ischemic stroke as the first clinical manifestation of an initially undiagnosed case of Takayasu arteritis in a young woman from Ethiopia: A case report

Takayasu arteritis (TAK) is a rare large-vessel vasculitis of unknown etiology that leads to arterial wall thickening, stenosis, and occlusion, which may complicate cerebrovascular ischemic events. Ischemic stroke is a potentially devastating complication of TAK at a young age, but the occurrence is still rarely reported in Ethiopia. Although it occurs late in the course of the condition, it may be the initial presentation and suggest an unfavorable prognosis. Herein, we address the case of a 25-year-old woman who presented to a university hospital while on follow-up after 2 years of stroke with deterioration in clinical symptoms, absent brachial artery pulses, and unrecordable blood pressure in both arms. At the time of admission in 2021, the contrast brain computed tomography scan revealed an ischemic infarction in the right middle cerebral artery territory. However, the etiology of the stroke could not be defined at that time due to ambiguity in the clinical picture and the inability of clinicians to incorporate TAK into the differential diagnosis, resulting in a delay in the early diagnosis of the case. Two years later, in 2023, she underwent computed tomography angiography and was diagnosed to have TAK based on American College of Rheumatology criteria, with Numano type IIb angiographic extent of disease, ischemic stroke, and stage II systemic hypertension. The patient was treated by a field of experts. This case highlights the need to consider TAK in the differential diagnosis of stroke in young patients in the absence of traditional risk factors; appropriate tests should be performed to confirm or rule out this diagnosis, and management should be modified accordingly.

Chinese guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of Takayasu's arteritis (2023)

Takayasu's arteritis (TAK) is a chronic granulomatous inflammatory disease that involves aorta and its primary branches. It is characterized by wall thickening, stenosis/obliteration or aneurysm formation of the involved arteries. In order to standardize the diagnosis and treatment of TAK in China, a clinical practice guideline with an evidence-based approach is developed under the leadership of National Clinical Medical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases (NCRC-DID). Eleven recommendations for 11 clinical questions that are important to the diagnosis and treatment of TAK are developed based on the latest evidence and expert opinions combined with real clinical practice in China.

A case of aortic root replacement for annuloaortic ectasia due to Takayasu's arteritis in active inflammatory phase

A 39-year-old man was admitted with acute heart failure due to severe aortic regurgitation induced by annuloaortic ectasia associated with Takayasu's arteritis. Because of the active inflammatory phase associated with Takayasu's arteritis, surgery is typically performed following immune suppression by steroid therapy. Herein, we report a favorable recovery in the active inflammatory phase. Steroid therapy was initiated shortly following surgery. The decision to perform aortic root replacement without prior steroid therapy was made because the patient's risk of subsequent heart failures was deemed high and was complicated by other comorbidities.

Operative experience on descending aorta with Takayasu Arteritis: a review

Patients with Takayasu arteritis (TA) and descending aorta involvement often experience insidious onset and slow progression, leading to irreversible vascular lesions despite medication therapy. Surgical management plays a crucial role in resolving hemodynamic disturbances and has shown promise in improving the outcomes of this patient population, owing to significant advancements in surgical expertise. However, studies focusing on this rare disease are lacking. This review summarizes the characteristics of patients with stenosis in descending aorta, emphasizing surgical approaches, perioperative management, and disease outcomes. The operative approach depends on lesion location and extent. Existing studies have confirmed that the choice of surgical modality significantly influences postoperative complications and long-term prognosis in patients, highlighting the effectiveness of bypass surgery as a favorable option in clinical practice with a satisfactory long-term patency rate. To mitigate postoperative complications, it is advisable to conduct regular imaging follow-ups to prevent the deterioration of the condition. Notably, the occurrence of restenosis and pseudoaneurysm formation deserves particular attention due to their impact on patient survival. The use of perioperative medication remains a topic of debate, as previous studies have presented divergent perspectives. The primary objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive perspective on surgical treatment and offer customized surgical approaches for patients in this population.

Advances in Takayasu arteritis: An Asia Pacific perspective

Takayasu Arteritis (TA) is a rare form of chronic granulomatous large vessel vasculitis that is more common in Asia compared to other parts of the world. There have been several developments in the field of Takayasu arteritis in relation to genetics, classification, clinical features, imaging, disease activity assessment and management and much of these works have been done in the Asia Pacific region. We will be discussing selected few in the current review.

Left ventricular function assessment after aortic and renal intervention in Takayasu arteritis by speckle tracking echocardiography: a pilot study

Background

Overt left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and congestive heart failure are known entities in Takayasu arteritis (TA). Subclinical LV dysfunction may develop in these patients despite normal LV ejection fraction (LVEF). Moreover, effect of treatment of aortic or renal artery narrowing in such patients is unknown.

Methods

This study included 15 angiographically confirmed TA patients undergoing aortic and/or renal intervention. A comprehensive clinical, biochemical and echocardiographic (2-dimensional, speckle tracking and tissue doppler imaging) evaluation were done at baseline, 72 h, and six months post intervention.

Results

Six patients (40%) had reduced LVEF (<50%) at baseline while rest 9 (60%) patients had reduced global longitudinal strain (GLS) but normal EF. Diastolic filling pattern was abnormal in all the patients. In patients with baseline reduced EF, mean EF improved from 24.62 ± 12.14% to 45.6 ± 9.45% (p = 0.001), E/e’ ratio decreased from 15.15 ± 3.19 to 10.8 ± 2.56 (p = 0.005) and median NT pro BNP decreased from 1673 pg/ml (970–2401 pg/ml) to 80 pg/ml (40–354 pg/ml) (p = 0.001) at 6 months after interventional procedure. In patients with baseline normal EF, median NT pro BNP decreased from 512 pg/ml (80–898.5 pg/ml) to 34 pg/ml (29–70.8 pg/ml) (p < 0.01), mean GLS improved from −8.80 ± 0.77% to −16.3 ± 0.78% (p < 0.001) and mean E/e’ decreased from 12.93 ± 2.63 to 7.8 ± 2.73 (p = 0.005) at 6 months follow up.

Conclusion

LV dysfunction is common in patients with TA and obstructive lesions in aorta or renal arteries. GLS can be used to assess subclinical systolic dysfunction in these patients. Timely intervention can improve LV dysfunction and can even reverse the subclinical changes.

Unusual case of dystrophic calcification and thrombosis of an extra-anatomical graft in a patient with Takayasu's arteritis

We report the case of a thrombotic occlusion of an extra-anatomical aortic bypass graft performed 37 years ago in a 46-year-old male with Takayasu’s arteritis. He presented with uncontrolled upper body hypertension, claudication pain in both the lower limbs, and kidney dysfunction which returned to normal post-surgery. On table we found a pseudoaneurysm at the proximal anastomosis along with calcification of the capsular tissue surrounding the graft. We attempt to explain the mechanism behind the graft occlusion, along with management of this late surgical complication which has not been described in the existing literature.

Different treatment options for Takayasu arteritis patients with moderate-to-severe aortic regurgitation: long-term outcomes

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prognosis of Takayasu arteritis (TA) patients with moderate-to-severe aortic regurgitation treated with surgical vs conservative treatment and to identify independent prognostic factors of long-term outcomes.

METHODS

Between January 2002 and January 2017, 101 consecutive TA patients with moderate-to-severe aortic regurgitation treated with either surgical (n = 38) or conservative (n = 63) treatments were investigated in this retrospective observational case-control study. The primary end point was all-cause mortality, and the secondary end point comprised the combined end points of death, non-fatal stroke and cardiac events (non-fatal myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure). Propensity score matching was used to reduce the bias of baseline risk factors.

RESULTS

The unadjusted all-cause 10-year mortality in the conservative group was increased compared with the surgical group (28.2% vs 7.4%; log-rank P = 0.036), and the combined end points showed the same trend (52.1% vs 25.3%; log-rank P = 0.005). After an adjustment of baseline risk factors, the conservative treatment was associated with reduced survival rates of both all-cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR): 8.243; 95% CI: 1.069, 63.552; P = 0.007] and combined end points (HR: 6.341; 95% CI: 1.469, 27.375; P = 0.002). Conservative treatment (HR: 3.838, 95% CI: 1.333, 11.053; P = 0.013) and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (HR: 1.036, 95% CI: 1.001, 1.071; P = 0.042) were risk factors for increased combined end points.

CONCLUSION

Surgical treatment improves the outcomes of patients with moderate-to-severe aortic regurgitation due to TA. The dilated left ventricle indicated a worse prognosis.

Surgical treatment for brachiocephalic artery aneurysm with Takayasu arteritis using isolated cerebral perfusion: a case study

Background

Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that induces stenosis, occlusion, or aneurysmal degeneration of the aorta and its major branches. Though rarely reported, proximal aneurysmal lesions from the aortic root to the arch are more common in Asian populations than in Western populations. In the surgical treatment of TA, anastomotic aneurysm can be problematic. Furthermore, atherosclerotic complications should be considered in surgical treatment for elderly TA patients.

Case presentation

Here, we report a case of brachiocephalic artery (BCA) aneurysm with TA for which surgical treatment was successful. Though it was solely a lesion of the brachiocephalic artery, after considering the patient’s clinical background and the features of TA, we chose a partial arch replacement. Further, for avoidance of anastomotic aneurysm, both distal and proximal anastomosis were reinforced with Teflon felt strips. Preoperative computed tomography detected severe atherosclerotic changes in the arch vessels. The patient underwent partial arch replacement using isolated cerebral perfusion (ICP) for brain protection and recovered without any neurological deficits.

Conclusions

In avoidance with anastomotic aneurysm, reinforcement of the anastomosis was introduced. ICP was effective for brain protection in case with severe atherosclerotic changes.

Intervention in Takayasu Aortitis: When, Where and How?

Takayasu arteritis is a large vessel vasculitis which commonly affects the aorta and its major branches. Active arterial inflammation is characterised by the presence of T and B lymphocytes, natural killer cells, macrophages and occasional multinucleate giant cells. Uncontrolled vascular inflammation can progress to cause arterial stenosis, occlusion or aneurysmal dilatation. Medical treatment involves combination immunosuppression and more recently biologic therapies targeting TNF-α and IL-6. Due to the typical delays in diagnosis and accumulation of arterial injury, open and endovascular surgical intervention are important and potentially life-saving treatment options for Takayasu arteritis. Common indications for surgery include aortic coarctation and ascending aortic dilatation ± aortic valve regurgitation, renal artery stenosis, ischaemic heart disease, supra-aortic disease, mesenteric ischaemia, severe limb-threatening claudication and aneurysm repair. Surgical outcomes are markedly improved in patients with clinically inactive disease and those who receive adequate periprocedural immunosuppression. Decisions regarding surgical approaches are best made as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

Clinical Scenario and Long-Term Outcome of Childhood Takayasu Arteritis Undergoing 121 Endovascular Interventions: A Large Cohort Over a Fifteen-Year Period

OBJECTIVE

Evidence-based studies on endovascular approaches for childhood Takayasu arteritis (TAK) are limited. Our objective was to present the largest current real-world scenario for patients with childhood TAK undergoing interventions and their postinterventional outcomes.

METHODS

Data were collected for patients with childhood TAK admitted from 2002 to 2017. Complication/reintervention-free survival was projected by Kaplan-Meier methods. Associated factors for intervention and predictors for postinterventional complications/reinterventions were assessed via regression models.

RESULTS

Among 101 patients enrolled, 69 (68.3%) underwent 121 interventions (angioplasty 95, stenting 26) during a 3.1-year follow-up. Compared with the nonintervention group, the intervention group independently associated with a male population (odds ratio [OR] 0.27, P = 0.035) and type IV disease (OR 17.92, P = 0.001). Male sex also marginally indicated a risk for reintervention (hazard ratio [HR] 3.22, P = 0.05). Baseline retinopathy, delay in diagnosis, and descending thoracic aorta involvement were associated with stent insertion (P < 0.05). Hypertension secondary to renal artery stenosis (RAS; 59.4%) or mid-aorta stenosis (MAS; 14.5%), heart failure (21.7%), and claudication (21.7%) were leading clinical hints for interventions. The technical success rate was 96.7%. During a median 2.88-year of follow-up after intervention, 36 lesions occurred with complications in 28 patients, and 22 lesions in 17 patients, particularly on the renal artery or mid-aorta. The 5-year complication-free and reintervention-free survivals were 50.7% and 65.8%, respectively. Peri-interventional dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT; HR 0.31), concurrent surgery (HR 26.5), and technical failure (HR 3.65) were independent predictors for complications (P < 0.05). Male sex (HR 2.52), retinopathy secondary to hypertension (HR 3.41), and pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH; HR 3.64) were baseline indicators for complications (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Over two-thirds of patients with childhood TAK require interventions, and the 5-year complication-free survival is 50.7%. Male sex, retinopathy, and PAH at baseline indicate the possibility of unfavorable outcomes. Interventions on MAS or RAS in childhood TAK raise specific concerns. DAPT peri-intervention appears to protect patients with childhood TAK from postinterventional complications.

Multiple occlusions in extracranial arteries in patients with aortic arch syndrome: is minimally invasive treatment still possible? Technical aspects of the treatment based on our own experience and a review of the literature

Takayasu arteritis is a large vessel vasculitis of granulomatous nature and unknown aetiology affecting predominantly the aorta and its major branches, which may lead to ischaemic symptoms of many organs including the central nervous system. To decrease the risk of neurological complications and improve the quality of life, an arterial revascularisation may be necessary. The treatment options include pharmacotherapy as well as both open surgical and endovascular procedures, which has to be carefully chosen to obtain clinical success. There is an ongoing debate on the advantages, possibilities, and indications for implementing endovascular and open surgical methods, especially in high-risk patients. In this article we present our own experience in the treatment of an unusually complex and high-risk patient with multiple occlusion of supra-aortic branches, focusing on the technical aspects of the procedures and the decision-making process, as well as to confront with contemporary medical knowledge.

Surgical Treatment in Patients With Aortic Regurgitation Due to Takayasu Arteritis

BACKGROUND

Aortic regurgitation is a common complication in patients with Takayasu arteritis. Severe aortic regurgitation requires surgical treatment. We investigated the outcomes of aortic valve replacement (AVR) and composite graft replacement (CGR) in patients with Takayasu arteritis and aortic regurgitation.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the data from 41 patients with Takayasu arteritis and aortic regurgitation treated by AVR (n = 23) and CGR (n = 18) from January 1992 to December 2016.

RESULTS

The mean age at operation was 40.3 years, and 61.0% were women. Concurrent procedures were performed in 43.9% of patients. The preoperative aortic root diameter in the AVR and CGR groups was 41.5 ± 7.9 and 47.8 ± 9.5 mm, respectively. The cardiopulmonary bypass time was longer in the CGR group (140.2 ± 44.8 minutes) than in the AVR group (105.2 ± 32.5 minutes). No in-hospital death occurred. During a median follow-up of 6.6 years (interquartile range, 0.6-9.4) we observed 10 patients with composite adverse events in the AVR group (1 death, 3 reoperations, 3 residual ascending aorta aneurysms, 6 paravalvular leaks, and 1 valve detachment) and 2 composite events in the CGR group (2 deaths and 1 paravalvular leak). The unadjusted 5-year event-free rate was 55.8% and 91.7% in the AVR and CGR groups, respectively (log-rank P < .05). CGR was associated with nominally lower events on adjusted analysis (hazard ratio, 4.212; 95% confidence interval [0.910, 19.509]; P = .066).

CONCLUSIONS

Paravalvular leak was the main postoperative complication. CGR was associated with nominally fewer adverse events.

Staged Combined Endovascular and Open Surgical Approach in a Patient with Takayasu's Arteritis

Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a systemic large vessel vasculitis that affects the aorta and its branches. Most patients with TA respond to medical therapy with a minority of patients requiring surgical intervention. In our report, we describe the case of a 59-year-old Caucasian female with TA who underwent revascularization due to cerebrovascular symptoms refractory to medical therapy. She initially presented with amaurosis fugax and developed episodes of syncope and slurred speech during corticosteroid tapering. Vascular studies showed right common carotid artery (RCCA), left internal carotid artery (LICA), and left subclavian artery (LSA) occlusion with the right vertebral artery (RVA) ostium stenosis, and retrograde flow through the left vertebral artery (LVA). The sole source of cerebral perfusion flowed through her stenosed RVA, so it was decided to first stent the RVA to restore adequate posterior cerebral circulation before creating a right subclavian artery to RCCA bypass to restore anterior circulation. This case represents the successful management of TA utilizing a two-staged combined endovascular and surgical approach.

Surgery and Endovascular Management in Patients With Takayasu's Arteritis: A Ten-Year Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND

Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is an uncommon chronic vasculitis, and there is a lack of long-term large cohort studies regarding the optimal revascularization outcomes of patients with TA.

METHODS

One hundred and sixteen patients with TA who underwent surgery or endovascular repair over a 10-year period were studied retrospectively. One hundred and fifty-four vascular procedures were performed consisting of 69 open and 85 endovascular repairs.

RESULTS

After a mean follow-up period of 48.5 ± 38.5 months, three cases each of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and death occurred in the open repair group while two cases of CVA and 4 deaths were observed in the endovascular repair group. At 1, 3, 5, and 10 years of follow-up, the primary patency rates were 97.3%, 86.2%, 70.5%, and 48.8% in the open repair group and 93.3%, 73.1%, 57.5%, and 31.8% in the endovascular repair group, respectively. The primary assisted patency rates were 98.2%, 90.3%, 73.2%, and 47.2% in the open repair group and 95%, 81%, 64.4%, and 35% in the endovascular repair group, respectively. The secondary patency rates were 98.2%, 96.1%, 83.5%, and 56.2% in the open repair group and 98.7%, 86%, 71.2%, and 44.9% in the endovascular repair group, respectively. The cumulative survival rates were 96.9%, 96.9%, 96.9%, and 90% in the open repair group and 97.4%, 97.4%, 88%, and 79.2% in the endovascular repair group, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Both surgical repair and endovascular management are safe and efficient modes of treatment of TA. Surgical repair showed long-term durability, and it is suitable for complex lesions and failed cases of endovascular management.

Management of Takayasu arteritis: a systematic literature review informing the 2018 update of the EULAR recommendation for the management of large vessel vasculitis

Objective

To collect available evidence on management of large vessel vasculitis to inform the 2018 update of the EULAR management recommendations.

Methods

Two independent systematic literature reviews were performed, one on diagnosis and monitoring and the other on drugs and surgical treatments. Using a predefined PICO (population, intervention, comparator and outcome) strategy, Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases were accessed. Eligible papers were reviewed and results condensed into a summary of findings table. This paper reports the main results for Takayasu arteritis (TAK).

Results

A total of 287 articles were selected. Relevant heterogeneity precluded meta-analysis. Males appear to have more complications than females. The presence of major complications, older age, a progressive disease course and a weaker inflammatory response are associated with a more unfavourable prognosis. Evidence for details on the best disease monitoring scheme was not found. High-quality evidence to guide the treatment of TAK was not found. Glucocorticoids are widely accepted as first-line treatment. Conventional immunosuppressive drugs and tumour necrosis factor inhibitors were beneficial in case series and uncontrolled studies. Tocilizumab failed the primary endpoint (time to relapse) in a randomised controlled clinical trial; however, results still favoured tocilizumab over placebo. Vascular procedures may be required, and outcome is better when performed during inactive disease.

Conclusions

Evidence to guide monitoring and treatment of patients with TAK is predominantly derived from observational studies with low level of evidence. Therefore, higher-quality studies are needed in the future.

Endovascular Treatment of Iliac Artery Stenosis Caused by Takayasu Arteritis: A 10-Year Experience

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of endovascular treatment for iliac artery stenosis caused by Takayasu arteritis (TA). Methods: Twenty-three consecutive TA patients (mean age 28.6±9.5 years; 17 women) with 30 iliac artery stenoses underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and selective stent implantation between January 2007 and December 2016. All had claudication (Rutherford category 2 or 3). The changes in the Rutherford category, ankle-brachial index (ABI), 6-minute walking capacity, and adverse events were assessed. Results: The success rate of endovascular therapy for iliac artery lesions was 93.3% (28/30). Guidewires could not cross either lesion in a patient with bilateral stenoses. Twenty-four lesions were treated by PTA alone and the other 4 lesions with provisional stents. One patient had a puncture site hematoma. Over an average of 4.8±3.3 years, 18 patients remained asymptomatic or had mild intermittent claudication. The other 4 patients developed moderate to severe intermittent claudication due to progression of a previously existing iliac lesion (n=1) or restenosis (n=3); all 4 underwent PTA. At the last follow-up, improvements were seen in the ABI (0.95±0.12 vs 0.51±0.22, p<0.001), 6-minute walking capacity (409.5±46.1 vs 272.6±32.3 m, p<0.001), and the Rutherford category of 22 patients. One patient died of a hemorrhagic stroke at 27 months due to uncontrolled hypertension. Conclusion: Endovascular therapy was safe and effective in treating TA patients with iliac artery stenosis, with good clinical outcomes in the long term.

[Revascularization of supra-aortic trunks in Takayasu's arteritis]

INTRODUCTION

Takayasu's disease is an inflammatory arteritis mainly affecting the aorta, its main divisional branches and pulmonary arteries. The arterial damage during Takayasu's disease is essentially occlusive and preferentially affects supra-aortic trunks. Indications for revascularization of supra-aortic trunks are clear but results are rarely reported. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of supra-aortic trunk revascularization in Takayasu's arteritis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We report a retrospective study conducted between 2012 and 2018 about patients with Takayasu's arteritis who underwent revascularization of supra-aortic trunks.

RESULTS

Our series consisted of six patients. All patients were female. The average age was 29 (range 18-48) years. The operative indication was cerebrovascular ischemic symptoms in five patients and intermittent claudication of the upper limb in one. We performed aorto-bi-carotid bypass in four patients, a subclavian artery angioplasty in one and a vertebral artery angioplasty in one. At 1 month, operative mortality was zero and morbidity was marked by hemorrhagic stroke in one patient operated by conventional surgery. The average follow-up was 4 years (1.8). During the follow-up, one patient was reoperated after 18 months for an anastomotic false aneurysm in the ascending aorta. We noted a favorable outcome with total resolution of the symptomatology for the other patients and Doppler ultrasound confirmed patency during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Surgical revascularization of supra-aortic trunks in Takayasu's arteritis can be associated with a risk of stroke and a risk of anastomotic pseudoaneurysms. Endovascular revascularization appears to be less invasive but its long-term results are rarely reported.

Clinical course and prognostic factors of childhood Takayasu's arteritis: over 15-year comprehensive analysis of 101 patients

BACKGROUND

Childhood Takayasu's arteritis (c-TA) is scarcely reported but is characterized by devastating morbidity and mortality. This study aims to investigate the clinical course of c-TA and prognostic factors associated with rehospitalization and events including vascular complications, flares, and death.

METHODS

An ambispective study of 101 c-TA patients satisfying the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria and/or the European League against Rheumatism (EULAR)/Pediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organization (PRINTO)/Pediatric Rheumatology European Society (PReS) criteria was conducted from January 2002 to December 2017. Data on demographic, clinical, laboratory, imaging, and therapeutic features were collected. Event-free survival, complication-free survival, flare-free survival, rehospitalization-free survival, and associated prognostic factors were assessed by Kaplan-Meier survival curve and propensity score analysis.

RESULTS

The median age at c-TA onset was 14 (interquartile range (IQR) 12-16) years and 76.2% were female. Hypertension (70.3%), blood pressure discrepancy (55.4%), bruits (51.5%), and pulse deficits (37.6%) were core presentations. Major vascular involvement included the renal artery (62.4%), abdominal aorta (42.6%), subclavian artery (43.6%), and carotid artery (42.6%). Glucocorticoids (78.2%), antihypertensive drugs (72.3%), antiplatelet agents (72.3%), and revascularization (57.4%) were made up the majority administered. At a median 2.4 (IQR 0.7-6.1) years of follow-up, events, rehospitalization, vascular complications, flares and death were observed in 44.6%, 37.6%, 44.6%, 26.7%, and 3%, respectively. The 5-year event-free survival, rehospitalization-free survival, vascular complication-free survival, and flare-free survival were 42.8%, 55.8%, 45.9%, and 62.3%, respectively. Body mass index (BMI) (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.49, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.30-0.81, p = 0.005), stroke (HR = 7.37, 95% CI 2.35-23.1, p = 0.001), and revascularization (HR = 0.51, 95% CI 0.27-0.94, p = 0.032) were independent prognostic predictors of events. Predictors for rehospitalization include age at admission (HR = 0.81, 95% CI 0.69-0.94, p = 0.006), renal artery involvement (HR = 0.49, 95% CI 0.25-0.96, p = 0.037), and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP; HR = 2.50, 95% CI 1.24-5.00, p = 0.01). BMI level (p = 0.024) and renal artery involvement (p = 0.015) were also associated with vascular complications, while revascularization (p = 0.002) independently correlated with re-flares.

CONCLUSIONS

This large ambispective study of c-TA revealed an early 3% mortality at the first year and around 50% morbidity within 5 years after diagnosis. Hypertension, renal artery involvement, and revascularization based on anti-inflammation, antihypertension, and antiplatelet medications dominated c-TA with indications for optimistic prognosis. Patients with initial lower BMI level, a younger age at admission, stroke, and elevated CRP have a high risk of poor outcomes, requiring close c-TA monitoring and more aggressive management.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT03199183 , unique protocol ID: 2016-ZX43. June 26, 2017.

Management and evaluation of pregnant women with Takayasu arteritis

PURPOSE

To evaluate the clinical characteristics, obstetric/neonatal outcomes, and pregnancy complications of pregnant women with Takayasu arteritis (TA).

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated the data of 22 pregnancies of 11 patients with TA between January 1 2000, and December 31 2017. Patient characteristics, severity of disease, obstetric outcomes, pregnancy complications, mode of delivery, and neonatal outcomes were evaluated.

RESULTS

Based on the angiographic classification, four, two, one, three, and one patient were classified into groups I, IIa, III, IV, and V, respectively. Based on Ishikawa criteria, five, two, two, and two patients were classified into groups 2a, 1, 2b, and 3, respectively. Sixteen and five pregnancies resulted in live births and spontaneous abortion, respectively. One pregnancy was terminated due to prenatally diagnosed trisomy 21. Relapse of TA was observed in five pregnancies. Mean age at diagnosis was 24.54 ± 6.23 years, and mean age at conception was 30.30 ± 4.80 years. There were two multiple pregnancies (one twin and one triplet) and 19 newborns were delivered alive. Rates of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, preterm birth, intrauterine growth retardation, oligohydramnios, and intrauterine fetal demise were 36.4, 18.2, 13.6, 13.6, and 0%, respectively. Mean gestational age at birth was 37.25 ± 2.40 weeks and mean birthweight was 2682.10 ± 176.82 g. Median APGAR score was 8. Cesarean section rate was 50%. Regional anesthesia/analgesia was administered during 62.5% of the deliveries. Ten neonates were admitted to neonatal intensive care unit and eight neonates had neonatal respiratory complications.

CONCLUSION

Appropriate management of pregnant women with TA within the framework of antenatal care programs and adopting a multidisciplinary approach are key to ensure successful outcomes.

Takayasu&rsquo;s arteritis: a review of the literature and the role of endovascular treatment

Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a chronic non-specific vasculitis with variable presentation in different ethnicities and countries. Treatment options vary and are dependent on the stage and presentation of the disease. We aimed to review current literature related to TA, focusing on the role of endovascular treatment in revascularisation. The temporal course of the disease and stage at presentation influence the management of TA. Treatment options include medical therapy, endovascular intervention or surgical vascular reconstruction. The decision to intervene is individualised according to vascular anatomy and the presence of haemodynamically significant lesions. There are currently no clear guidelines regarding the choice between the endovascular and open surgical approaches, but studies have shown that endovascular procedures are associated with slightly higher rates of restenosis while surgical procedures have higher rates of thrombosis. Periprocedural immunosuppression is suggested if the disease is active at the point of intervention. This improves outcomes but at the cost of immunosuppression-related side effects. Careful long-term follow-up is essential due to the risk of disease activation or flare-up, requiring appropriate evaluation of the diseased vessels.

Takayasu's disease effects on the kidneys: current perspectives

Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a chronic vasculitis disease of unknown etiology. Clinically significant renal disease is relatively common, and renovascular hypertension is the major renal problem. The assessment of TA activity is usually challenging because vascular inflammation may progress to fixed vascular injury without findings of active disease. Until now, the best therapeutic options have not been identified. This review highlights the current perspectives of renal involvement in TA.

Successful Hybrid Zone 0 Landing Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Ascending Aortic Pseudoaneurysm after Bentall Procedure and Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Takayasu Arteritis

Pseudoaneurysm at the suture line is one of the most common complications in aortic surgery for Takayasu arteritis (TA) and is associated with a high mortality rate. A 52-year-old man with TA, who previously underwent the Bentall procedure and 2 redo surgeries for coronary artery obstruction and a pseudoaneurysm of a coronary button, was diagnosed with an anastomotic pseudoaneurysm in the ascending aorta. Hybrid zone 0 debranching thoracic endovascular aortic repair was performed, and the patient was discharged uneventfully on postoperative day 8.

Surgical intervention and its role in Takayasu arteritis

Vascular surgery remains an important option in the management of Takayasu arteritis (TA). Its use is predominantly confined to the treatment of symptomatic organ ischaemia or life-threatening aneurysm formation. In most cases, this follows the failure of medical therapy to prevent arterial injury. Open surgery and endovascular approaches are used. The choice between them, at least in part, is determined by the site and nature of the lesion. Open surgery, although more invasive, offers enhanced duration of arterial patency, whereas for endovascular intervention, primary angioplasty without stenting is preferred, with stenting reserved for primary or secondary angioplasty failures. Although there is increasing interest in the role of stent grafts and tailor-made endovascular stents, long-term outcomes remain to be reported. Interventional outcomes are improved and complications reduced by therapeutic control of disease activity before and after surgery. The wider use of combined immunosuppression and the introduction of biologic therapy for refractory TA may reduce future requirements for surgical intervention.

Endovascular stenting of mid-aortic syndrome due to Takayasu arteritis

Introduction-patients: Takayasu arteritis may involve various parts of the aorta and its major branches. It leads to occlusive or aneurysmal disease of the vessel. It can be treated either with surgery or percutaneous intervention. We report a successful endovascular treatment of stenosis of the descending thoracic and abdominal aorta in a 19-year-old female. Methods-results-conclusions: Self-expandable nitinol stent was deployed and adequate opening of the aorta was obtained in this patient. Long-term durability of endovascular approach is a matter of debate. We also reviewed the sufficiency of endovascular treatment versus surgery.

Endovascular Versus Open Surgical Intervention in Patients with Takayasu's Arteritis: A Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND

Although medical treatment has advanced, surgical treatment is needed to control symptoms of Takayasu's arteritis (TA), such as angina, stroke, hypertension, or claudication. Endovascular or open surgical intervention is performed; however, there are few comparative studies on these methods. This meta-analysis and systematic review aimed to examine the outcome of surgical treatment of TA.

METHODS

A meta-analysis comparing outcomes of endovascular and open surgical intervention was performed using MEDLINE and Embase. This meta-analysis included only observational studies, and the evidence level was low to moderate. Data were pooled and analysed using a fixed or random effects model with the I2 statistic.

RESULTS

The included studies involved a total of 770 patients and 1363 lesions, with 389 patients treated endovascularly and 420 treated by surgical revascularization. Restenosis was more common with endovascular than open surgical intervention (odds ratio [OR] 5.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.78-9.62; p < .001). In subgroup analysis according to the involved lesions, endovascular intervention patients showed more restenosis than open surgical intervention patients in the coronary artery, supra-aortic branches, and renal artery. In both the active and inactive stages, restenosis was more common in those treated endovascularly than in those treated by open surgery. However, stroke occurred less often with endovascular intervention than with open surgical intervention (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.12-0.90; p = .003). Mortality and complications other than stroke and mortality did not differ between endovascular and open surgical intervention.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis has shown a lower risk of restenosis with open surgical intervention than with endovascular intervention. Stroke was generally more common with open surgical intervention than with endovascular intervention. However, there were differences according to the location of the lesion, and the risk of stroke in open surgery is higher when the supra-aortic branches are involved rather than the renal arteries.

Impaired cardiac and vascular motion in patients with Takayasu's arteritis: A velocity vector imaging-based study

OBJECTIVE

Takayasu's arteritis (TAK) is a chronic inflammatory vasculitis of the aorta and its major branches. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the motion of the vascular wall and myocardial contractility by using a novel strain imaging method, velocity vector imaging (VVI), in patients with TAK. We also aimed to compare them with another inflammatory autoimmune disorder, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

METHODS

We studied 33 patients with TAK, 18 patients with SLE, and 20 age- and sex-matched controls. All participants were subjected to carotid artery Doppler ultrasonography and transthoracic echocardiographic evaluation. VVI analysis was also performed to assess subclinical left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction and to determine tissue motion of the common carotid arteries (CCAs).

RESULTS

Aortic strain and distensibility were significantly impaired in patients with TAK, while the aortic stiffness and carotid artery stiffness indexes were increased. Aortic distensibility was the only parameter that was decreased among SLE patients. The values of CCA peak longitudinal strain, strain rate, and total longitudinal displacement (TLD) were also impaired in patients with TAK. Peak radial velocity was decreased while time-to-peak radial velocity was increased. In the SLE group, peak longitudinal strain, strain rate, TLD, and peak radial velocity were impaired. LV longitudinal peak systolic strain and strain rate were reduced in patients with TAK. Similarly, we revealed impaired subclinical LV systolic function in patients with SLE.

CONCLUSION

VVI is a novel strain imaging technique with additional value to determine early impairment in vascular and myocardial wall motion in patients with TAK.

Inflammatory and infectious aortic diseases

Aortitis is aortic inflammation, which can be due to inflammatory or infectious diseases. Left undiagnosed, aortitis can lead to aneurysm formation and rupture, in addition to ischemic compromise of major organs. Infectious aortic diseases include mycotic aneurysm and graft infection; the most common inflammatory diseases are Takayasu's and giant cell arteritis. We review the epidemiology, etiology, presentation and diagnosis, and treatment of these entities.

Takayasu arteritis in paediatrics

Takayasu arteritis is an idiopathic chronic granulomatous panarteritis predominantly affecting the aorta and its main branches. Although idiopathic, genetic contribution to disease susceptibility is being increasingly recognised. Rare in children, Takayasu arteritis is a worldwide disease with significant morbidity and mortality. Its diagnosis is a challenge and requires awareness of the condition as clinical features at presentation are non-specific and assessing disease activity is difficult. In the inflammatory stage, treatment is essential to prevent the insidious course and vascular damage: stenotic, occlusive lesions, aneurysms, and aortic regurgitation. New imaging modalities, such as CT scan, MRI, and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography, have expanded the possibilities for non-invasive diagnosis and monitoring; however, digital subtraction arteriography remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of Takayasu arteritis. Steroids are the first-line medical treatment. The combined use of methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, and biological agents is common. Revascularisation therapy should be considered in uncontrolled hypertension secondary to renal artery stenosis, symptomatic coronary ischaemia, cerebrovascular disease, severe aortic regurgitation, limb ischaemia, and aneurysms at risk of rupture, using surgical or endovascular procedures and taking into consideration that complications, especially restenosis, are frequent. Disease activity increases the likelihood of complications after revascularisation. Surgical intervention has shown better long-term outcomes, although the endovascular approach is evolving. The aim of this review was to describe key points of the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of Takayasu arteritis in childhood.

Factors Associated With Need for Revascularisation in Non-coronary Arterial Occlusive Lesions Secondary to Takayasu's Arteritis

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND

Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is rare inflammatory large vessel form of vasculitis. The objective of this study was to evaluate experience in the management of TA patients and to identify the influence of inflammatory markers and clinical variables associated with disease progression, worsening ischaemic symptoms, and the need for interventions.

METHODS

Demographics, and laboratory and clinical variables in patients that required revascularisation procedures were compared with those who had adequate symptomatic control with medical management. Categorical data were analysed with Fisher's exact test, continuous variables with two-sample t test, and a life table analysis was used to study the recurrence of symptoms in intervened patients.

RESULTS

From January 1995 to May 2016, 47 patients (mean age 30 years; range 14-59 years) were managed; 44 (94%) were female. During the mean follow-up period of 120 months, 21 (45%) underwent 23 procedures (17 of these [74%] open, six [26%] endovascular). From the intervened group, eight (38%) patients presented with transient ischaemic attacks, five (24%) with renovascular hypertension, and four (19%) with upper extremity and four (19%) lower extremity claudication. Comparative analysis demonstrated that elevation of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) at the time of the diagnosis (revascularisation group: median value 28 mm/hour; medical management group: median value 15 mm/hour) was associated with progression of the disease, worsening symptoms, and subsequent need for intervention (p = .04). Active smoking was a factor connected with the need for revascularisation (p = .05). Immediate symptomatic improvement occurred in 19 (90%) patients that underwent surgical or endovascular revascularisation.

CONCLUSION

Patients with TA who underwent interventions had higher ESR at the time of diagnosis; this factor and active smoking were associated with progression of the disease and worsening ischaemic symptoms despite medical therapy. Revascularisation procedures are effective at relieving symptoms; lifelong surveillance is necessary.

The clinical characteristics of Chinese Takayasu's arteritis patients: a retrospective study of 411 patients over 24 years

BACKGROUND

We aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of 411 Chinese Takayasu's arteritis (TAK) patients using a retrospective analysis.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 810 medical charts of patients with a diagnosis of TAK who were admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 1990 to 2014. 411 patients with a complete dataset were finally included in the analysis. The demographic data, clinical features, angiographic patterns, and TAK-related surgical procedures were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

The median age at disease onset was 23 (18, 30) years old, with a median disease duration of 21 (6, 60) months; 325 (79.1%) were female. The angiographic involvement pattern was type I in 91 (22.1%) patients, type IIa in 16 (3.9%) patients, type IIb in 16 (3.9%) patients, type III in 12 (2.9%) patients, type IV in 26 (6.3%) patients, and type V in 250 (60.8%) patients. Subclavian arteries (79.8%) were the most commonly involved, followed by carotid arteries (79.1%). The occurrence rate (4.1%) of aortic aneurysm in this study was low; 119 operations and interventions were performed. The most common cause of death in this study was heart failure.

CONCLUSION

Subclavian arteries, carotid arteries, and type V were the most frequently involved arteries and angiography pattern in this Chinese TAK study. The difference in angiographic features may lead to differences in clinical manifestations. Surgical operation and interventions should be performed at different stages of the disease course.

Palpable mass of the neck in the course of Takayasu arteritis

Takayasu arteritis is a rare, idiopathic inflammatory disease of the aorta and its major branches, usually affecting young women of Asian descent. In the course of the disease stenosis, occlusions as well as dilatations and aneurysms of vessels occur. Because of many possible localizations of pathological changes, the symptoms have a wide range, but the most common are a weak pulse or its absence on the brachial artery and a difference in systolic pressure above 10 mm Hg between the upper extremities. Here we present a case report of a young woman with Takayasu arteritis, who presented a palpable mass in the back of her neck, significantly diminished after treatment with glucocorticoids.

Management of aortic regurgitation and bilateral carotid occlusion in severe Takayasu arteritis

We present a patient with Takayasu arteritis and severe aortic valve regurgitation and bilateral carotid artery occlusions, who underwent aortic valve replacement and aorto-bicarotid bypass. The management of the cardiovascular manifestations of Takayasu arteritis is reviewed.

Open and Endovascular Management of Severe Cerebral Ischemia in Takayasu's Arteritis

BACKGROUND

Severe cerebral ischemia in patients with Takayasu's arteries was caused by occlusion of most supra-aortic arteries. Arterial revascularization is necessary to decrease the incidence of stroke and improve the quality of life but may be complicated with multiple occlusive lesions and inflammation condition of this disease. This study was to assess options and long-term outcomes of surgical and endovascular treatment.

METHODS

Twenty-nine patients with severe cerebral ischemic symptoms underwent surgical or endovascular treatment from January 1991 to July 2015. Demographic characteristics, surgical and endovascular procedures, and follow-up outcomes were reviewed. Risk factors associated with primary patency of surgical treatment and assisted primary patency of endovascular treatment was identified by Cox regression analyses.

RESULTS

There were 29 patients with a median age of 24 (range 9-37 years), 9 in active and 20 in inactive phase. Seventeen patients underwent a variety of bypass procedures. Fourteen endovascular procedures were performed in 12 patients. No death occurred within 30 days after both procedures. Complications within 30 days after bypass included stroke in 1 patient, infection in 2 patients, and heart failure in 1 patient. Nine patients developed brain hyperperfusion after bypass. Transient hemiplegic paralysis occurred in 1 patient during dilation of the carotid artery. During a median follow-up time of 41 months, primary and secondary patency rate of bypass at 1 and 3 years was 93.75% and 100% and 87.5% and 100%, respectively. Assisted primary and secondary patency rate of endovascular treatment at 1 and 3 years was 85.71% and 92.86% and 68.18% and 75.66%, respectively. There was no independent risk factor associated with either primary patency of surgical treatment or assisted primary patency of endovascular treatment. Disease activity was independent risk factor associated with combined rate of primary patency of surgical treatment and assisted primary patency of endovascular treatment (HR: 0.17, 95% CI: 0.03-0.93, P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Bypass is the preferred treatment in majority of patients with good long-term patency, even has a higher propensity for postoperative complications. Endovascular treatment should be preserved for short lesions in inappropriate or high-risk surgical patients but needs more reintervention and close monitoring of lesion for better outcomes. Long-term patency of surgical and endovascular treatment is related with disease activity. Combination of surgical or endovascular treatment and medical therapy may improve the efficacy of interventions.

Incidence, prevalence, mortality and causes of death in Takayasu Arteritis in Korea - A nationwide, population-based study

BACKGROUND

Studies investigating the epidemiology and mortality of Takayasu Arteritis (TA) are scarce. The objective of this study was to provide information regarding the epidemiology of TA, such as the incidence, prevalence, survival and cause of death in Korea.

METHODS

We used a national, population-based database maintained by the Rare Intractable Disease registration program and the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, which includes information on all TA patients, diagnosed based on uniform criteria. We also used data from Statistics Korea linked with RID database to confirm survival and cause of death. We analyzed data for the period 2008-2012.

RESULTS

During study period, there were 612 new patients with TA, with a female-to-male ratio of 4.3:1. The annual mean incidence was 0.24 per 10⁵ people, and the prevalence was 2.82 per 10⁵ people in 2012. The average annual mortality rate was 0.02 per 10⁵ people, and the standardized mortality ratio was 3.1. The overall survival of patients with TA was 96.6%, which was significantly lower than that in the general population. Cardiovascular disease was the most common cause of death, accounting for 29 of the 64 deaths (45.3%), followed by neoplasms in 9 patients (14.1%).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence and prevalence presented in this study are the highest ever reported. The survival of patients with TA was significantly lower than that of the general population, and the main cause of death was cardiovascular disease. This study reflects the need for greater awareness of TA, especially in Asian countries.

Vascular surgery: the main risk factor for mortality in 146 Takayasu arteritis patients

Takayasu arteritis (TA) is an idiopathic chronic inflammatory disease that affects the aorta and its main branches. According to disease involvement, patients may require surgical treatment mainly due ischemic lesions in association with medical therapy. We evaluated the impact of vascular interventions in a cohort of TA patients. Medical records from 146 TA patients were reviewed. Clinical features, medical, and surgical treatment were revised and disease activity was determined by clinical, laboratorial, and imaging parameters. Clinical parameters associated with mortality alongside vascular procedures were evaluated and their impact on mortality in our cohort was estimated. Ninety-four vascular interventions were performed in 61 patients (41.8%). A third of them were of endovascular procedures. The overall mortality was 4.1%, all due to early postoperative complications, which resulted in a rate of surgery-related mortality of 9.8%. All deaths occurred in patients with active disease. Clinical parameters known to be associated with mortality (aneurysm, secondary hypertension, aortic insufficiency, and cerebrovascular accident) were not found related with death. Patients whose disease began before age 20 years had an OR 3.54 of undergoing a vascular surgical intervention. The observed impact of vascular procedures on mortality in patients with Takayasu arteritis, especially during disease activity, supports the notion that such interventions should be performed with caution and preferably during periods of remission.

Cause of death in Chinese Takayasu arteritis patients

To analyze the causes of death and the related risk factors for in-patients with Takayasu arteritis (TAK) admitted to a referral center of China during 1983 to 2014.The medical charts of 12 deceased TAK patients (10 women, 2 men) were reviewed by two senior rheumatologists. The demographic data, clinical manifestations, angiographic presentations, and the direct causes of death were analyzed retrospectively. Medical records of 40 TAK patients (32 women, 8 men) were selected as controls by age and sex matching method from 81 patients who were sampled isometrically from 810 successively admitted TAK in-patients of the same center during the same period. In addition to the comparison of clinical manifestations between the two groups, binary logistic regression was conducted to explore the related risk factors of mortality of TAK.Twelve patients died at the median age of 33.5 (ranging from 13 to 68 years old). The median survival time was 102.5(ranging from 6 to 567) months. The direct causes of death were heart failure in 5 (5/12, 41.7%), hemorrhage in 2 (2/12, 16.7%), pulmonary infection in 2 (2/12, 16.7%), sudden death in 1 (1/12, 8.3%), postoperative complication in 1 (1/12, 8.3%), and end-stage malignancy in 1 (1/12, 8.3%). Ischemia (4/12, 33.3%) and hemorrhage (4/12, 33.3%) were the two most common presentations in deceased patients. Eight patients had received surgical procedures related to TAK changes. Among them, 2 patients died after surgical procedure, the other 6 patients died later of non-operation-related causes. Compared with the control group (n = 40), patients in the deceased group had longer disease duration (P = 0.017), higher proportion of active disease (P = 0.020), secondary hypertension (P = 0.004), and congestive heart failure (P = 0.017). A model of binary logistic regression had revealed that secondary hypertension (odds ratio [OR] = 9.333, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.721 - 50.614, P = 0.010), congestive heart failure (OR = 5.667, 95% CI: 1.248 - 25.734, P = 0.025), and longer disease duration (OR = 1.007, 95% CI: 1.001 - 0.735, P = 0.027) were risk factors for TAK mortality. Active disease (OR = 0.167, 95% CI: 0.038 - 50.614, P = 0.018) was negatively associated with death of TAK.Heart failure is the leading cause of death in TAK patients, followed by ischemia and pulmonary infection. Early deaths occur postoperatively but become rare later after the procedure. Well-control of hypertension, and prevention of congestive heart failure may improve the long-term prognosis.

Updates in Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Management of Takayasu Arteritis

BACKGROUND

Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a rare, systemic, inflammatory vasculitis of granulomatous nature, and still of unknown etiology. It mainly involves the aorta and its major branches and is more commonly seen in women of childbearing age and Asians. TA leads to stenosis, occlusion, or aneurysmal degeneration of large arteries, and its pathogenesis seems to be mainly due to an abnormal cell-mediated immunity, although other molecular and genetic abnormalities may contribute. The diagnosis and treatments lie on clinical and arteriographic findings. Because of its fluctuating course, both clinical scores and biomarkers are currently evaluated. The aim of this review is to report a comprehensive and methodologically robust state of the art about Takayasu arteritis, including the latest data and evidences in the definition, epidemiology, pathogenesis and etiology, clinical manifestations and classification, diagnosis, assessment of disease activity and progression, biomarkers, and treatment.

METHODS

We searched all publications addressing definition, epidemiology, pathogenesis, etiology, classification, diagnosis, biomarkers, and treatment of TA. Randomized trials, cohort studies, and reviews were contemplated to give a breadth of clinical data. PubMed and Scopus were searched from August 2010 to November 2015.

RESULTS

Of the 3,056 records found, 267 matched our inclusion criteria. After reading the full-text articles, we decided to exclude 169 articles because of the following reasons: (1) no innovative or important content; (2) no multivariable analysis; (3) insufficient data; (4) no clear potential biases or strategies to solve them; (5) no clear end-points; and (6) inconsistent or arbitrary conclusions. The final set included 98 articles.

CONCLUSIONS

This review presents the last updates in all fields of Takayasu arteritis. Still today, large areas of TA pathogenesis and disease-activity assessment need to be further investigated to better treat patients with TA.

[Aortitis and surgery]

Non-infectious aortitis are usually due to giant cell arteritis (temporal arteritis), Takayasu and Behçet's diseases. Aortitis should be suspected in the presence of aortic wall thickening or of aneurysm or occlusion of the aorta and its branches in the absence of characteristic cardiovascular risk factors. Surgery is required in case of severe damage. But the quiescence of the inflammatory disease must be obtained before endovascular or surgical treatment to prevent complications such as anastomotic false aneurysm or stent thrombosis, especially common in this disease. The frequency of aortic aneurysms (in particular of ascending aorta) in giant cell arteritis encourages its systematic screening, as well as regular monitoring of the entire aorta during the follow-up. Behçet's and Takayasu diseases require the greatest control of inflammation and the knowledge of some surgical tricks to avoid the risk of recurrence. The literature review shows that endovascular treatment could reduce perioperative morbidity but did not allow reducing long-term complications.

Complex aortic arch repair in a patient with Takayasu's disease presenting with acute aortic dissection type Stanford A and complete collateral perfusion of the brain

We describe a rare case of a 46-year old woman suffering from Takayasu's disease. She had undergone aorto-biaxillary bypass and aorto-cerebral bypass surgery in 1985 for occlusive arterial disease and developed a large ascending pseudoaneurysm of the aorto-biaxillary bypass. The aorto-cerebral bypass and right axillary bypass were occluded. Native supra-aortic arteries were found to be proximally occluded and arterial blood supply to the brain was maintained by a dense arterial collateral network. The patient did not show neurological deficits and was able to work using both arms without restrictions. She refused early surgery but suffered from acute aortic dissection type Stanford A shortly after. Supracommissural ascending aortic and aortic arch repair under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest with no additional bypass to the head vessels was performed. This case demonstrates the significance of aortic complications in Takayasu's disease and the effectiveness of collateral brain perfusion in selected patients.