What Is Takayasus Arteritis?
Takayasu’s arteritis is an uncommon condition in which inflammation damages large and medium-sized arteries. The arteries most commonly affected are the branches of the aorta (the main blood vessel that leaves the heart), including the blood vessels that supply blood to the arms and travel through the neck to provide blood to the brain. The aorta itself is also often affected. Less commonly, arteries that provide blood to the heart, intestines, kidneys, and legs may be involved. Inflammation of large blood vessels may cause segments of the vessels to weaken and stretch, resulting in an aneurysm (bulging blood vessel). Vessels also can become narrowed or even completely blocked (called an occlusion). Takayasu’s arteritis was named for Dr. Mikoto Takayasu, the doctor who first described the disorder in 1908.
