A rare disorder that causes blood vessel inflammation
Takayasu’s arteritis is a type of vasculitis that damages the aorta, your largest artery that carries blood from your heart to the rest of the body, and its main branches. The inflammation creates scarring that can narrow or block the vessels or can stretch them, allowing aneurysms to form. Severe scarring can result in myocarditis, heart attack, stroke, and blockage of blood flow to the extremities.
Our Vascular and Endovascular Program provides the latest minimally invasive treatments for vascular conditions such as Takayasu’s arteritis. The team partners with other specialties to create effective treatment plans for your unique and complex needs.
What are the symptoms of Takayasu's arteritis?
Takayasu’s arteritis reduces blood flow to areas of your body and often causes a general feeling of illness. As the condition worsens, you may experience symptoms such as:
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Fainting and dizziness
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Headaches
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Memory problems or trouble thinking
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Pain and weakness in your limbs
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Shortness of breath
Tests
Diagnosing Takayasu’s arteritis is the first step to developing a treatment plan. Our specialists may recommend one or more diagnostic and imaging procedures.
- Angiogram (Angiography): An angiogram is a special X-ray taken as a special dye is injected through a thin, flexible tube called a catheter to detect blockages or aneurysms in blood vessels.
- Cardiac Catheterization: Cardiac catheterization is a minimally invasive way to diagnose and treat a variety of heart and vascular conditions by guiding thin, flexible tubes called catheters through blood vessels to problem areas.
- Echocardiogram: An echocardiogram uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of your heart.
- Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE): Transesophageal echocardiogram allows us to take very detailed images of your heart structure from a probe in your esophagus.
Treatments
Medication to control the inflammation is the most common treatment for Takayasu’s arteritis. Your doctor may recommend additional treatments or procedures to control and manage your disease.
Aortic Valve Repair and Replacement
Aortic valve repair and replacement procedures include minimally invasive and traditional surgery as well as several types of replacement material.
Our providers
Location: Change location Enter your location
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Federico M Asch, MD
Cardiac Imaging
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Brian Daniel Baturin, MD
Cardiac Imaging
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Preetham N. Kumar, MD
Cardiac Imaging & Cardiology
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Michael Alan Matyas, MD
Cardiac Imaging, Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine & Diagnostic Radiology
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Gaby Weissman, MD
Valvular Disease Cardiology, Structural Heart Disease Cardiology & Cardiac Imaging
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Jared Michael Widell, MD
Cardiac Imaging & Cardiology
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Additional information
Vascular and Endovascular Program
Partner with a recognized leader in offering care ranging from straightforward vascular disease to the most complex vascular disorders.
Related services
Ask MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute
Have general questions for our heart and vascular program? Email us at AskMHVI@medstar.net. If you have clinically-specific questions, please contact your physician’s office.