What is Takayasu's arteritis?

Takayasu's arteritis, also known as pulseless illness, Takayasu disease, or TAK, is a rare form of vasculitis or inflammation in the blood vessels. The largest arteries in your body are affected, including the aorta which is the principal vessel emerging from your heart, and other arteries branching off from it that supply tissues in your body with oxygen-rich blood.

Takayasu's arteritis causes inflammation of the arteries, which can result in weakening and stretching, aneurysms, narrowing, restricted blood flow, and occlusions. It may impact the arteries supplying the heart, intestines, kidneys, and legs.

Who does Takayasu’s arteritis affect?

Often, children and adults assigned female at birth suffer from TAK. In most instances, the patients diagnosed with Takayasu's arteritis fall between ages 15 and 35 years. Approximately 80–90% of individuals diagnosed with this disease were assigned female at birth.

What are the symptoms?

A majority of patients with TAK will exhibit at least some symptoms, although approximately half of all individuals who will contract TAK will report feeling generally unwell.

Early or first stage symptoms of Takayasu's arteritis include the following:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Muscle or joint pain.
• Not interested in eating much.

More advanced or second-stage symptoms of Takayasu's arteritis include:

• Chest pain.
• Difficulty catching one's breathing.
• Headaches.
• Dizziness

Narrowing or reduced blood flow in blood vessels can cause:

• Fatigue, aching, or pain in your arms and legs.
• Reduced blood supply to the intestines can cause stomach pains.
• Less blood supply to your kidneys may lead to hypertension.
• Seldom, it may cause a stroke.
• Lastly, a heart attack is a very rare condition.

What causes Takayasu's arteritis?

TAK's specific cause is not known. Takayasu's arteritis is may be an autoimmune disease; that is, the immune system must be attacking healthy tissue that it should leave alone.

Researchers have suspected a mutated gene inherited from both parents may be responsible for some of these forms of Takayasu's arteritis. The patients involved only carry one copy of the mutated gene. It is possible to have the illness and its symptoms if you receive that particular gene from both of your parents.

How is Takayasu’s arteritis diagnosed?

A health care provider diagnoses Takayasu's arteritis based on various criteria such as:

• A detailed medical history and physical check-up to rule out any other diseases that might be masquerading as symptoms. The bruit is a funny sound detected by your health care provider using the stethoscope. The flow of blood might be restricted if there is substantial constriction of the blood vessels. That's what causes this sound to occur.
• X-rays that outline where and to what extent damage exists in arteries
• Tests to detect aneurysms or narrowing of blood vessels.

What tests will be done to diagnose Takayasu’s arteritis?

Your healthcare professional can use several tests to aid in the diagnosing process, such as:

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Computed Tomography
• Angiography
• Positron emission tomography (PET)
• Ultrasound

How is Takayasu’s arteritis treated?

The treatment of Takayasu's arteritis can be managed through medications and prevention of blood vessel damage. However, it is not easy to treat because the disease persists and has the potential for permanent damage. Non-serious symptoms can either not need treatment or can be tapered or stopped.

Medications

As your healthcare provider might recommend medication, it is prudent to talk to your physician about the medication options available and their possible adverse reactions.

• Corticosteroids to control inflammation: Treatment for inflammation involves corticosteroids like prednisone, which may be continued for long-term use. Doctors may gradually lower the dose to control inflammation and may eventually stop medication entirely. Side effects include weight gain, infection risk, and bone loss.
• Other immunosuppressive drugs: When the corticosteroids fail or dosages become toxic, physicians will prescribe other immunosuppressive drugs, including methotrexate, azathioprine, leflunomide or medications only prescribed for organ transplants; these increase the risk of infection.
• Immune-suppressing drugs: When the immune system is underfunctioning, it prescribes biologic agents, such as etanercept, infliximab, and tocilizumab. However, common side effect of these agents is increased susceptibility to infection.

Surgery

In very severe narrowing or occlusion, it may become necessary to operate to open up or bypass the affected arteries in order to relieve symptoms like hypertension and angina. Large aneurysms are typically treated with surgery to reduce the risk of rupture.

Surgical interventions are ideally done when inflammation of the arteries has been minimized. These include:

• Bypass surgery: It involves removing an artery or vein from another part of the body and brought to connect with a blocked artery, usually due to irreversible artery narrowing or significant obstruction.
• Blood vessel widening (percutaneous angioplasty): Percutaneous angioplasty opens a blood vessel by inserting a small balloon through a blocked artery, expanding it, and then deflating and removing it.
• Aortic valve surgery: If the aortic valve leaks severely, surgical repair or replacement may be needed.

How do I take care of myself?

People suffering from Takayasu's arteritis generally have hypertension or high blood pressure that requires medical management. If your high blood pressure isn't treated, you could develop:

• Stroke
• Heart disease
• Kidney failure

If you take drugs that weaken your immune system, such as biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, then consider getting vaccinations that can protect you against infections, including:

• Flu
• Pneumonia

When should I see my healthcare provider?

If your symptoms continue or return during or after treatment, discuss with your doctor.

Why Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for Takayasu’s arteritis treatment in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital is one of the best hospital for Takayasu's Arteritis treatment in Lucknow, India. We have expert team of vascular surgeons with modern technology, and compassionate care. We ensures safer surgeries, faster recovery, and better long-term results.

To seek an expert consultation for Takayasu’s arteritis treatment in Lucknow, India:

Call us at +91-9076972161
Email at care@tenderpalm.com

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