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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffThe severity of Takayasu's arteritis may vary. In some people, the condition remains mild and doesn't produce complications. But in others, extended or recurring cycles of inflammation and healing in the arteries can lead to one or more of the following:
- Hardening and narrowing of blood vessels, which can cause reduced blood flow to organs and tissues
- High blood pressure, usually as a result of decreased blood flow to your kidneys
- Inflammation of the heart — either of the heart muscle itself (myocarditis), of the sac that surrounds the heart (pericarditis) or of the heart valves (valvulitis)
- Heart failure, due to high blood pressure, myocarditis or aortic regurgitation — a condition in which a faulty aortic valve allows blood to leak back into your heart — or a combination of these
- Ischemic stroke, a type of stroke that occurs as a result of reduced or blocked blood flow in arteries leading to your brain
- Transient ischemic attack, a temporary stroke that has all the symptoms of an ischemic stroke without causing lasting damage
- Aneurysm in the aorta, which occurs when the walls of the blood vessel weaken and stretch out, forming a bulge that has the potential to rupture
- Heart attack — although not common, it may occur as a result of reduced blood flow to the heart
- Lung involvement, when the arteries to the lungs (pulmonary arteries) become diseased
Pregnancy
In studies of pregnant women with Takayasu's arteritis, most women delivered a healthy baby. However, the disease may pose risks for you and your baby, and drugs to treat it may also cause problems. If you have Takayasu's arteritis and are planning on becoming pregnant, it's important to work with your doctor to develop a comprehensive plan to limit complications of pregnancy before you conceive. In addition, you'll be closely monitored throughout your pregnancy.
- Takayasu's arteritis. American College of Rheumatology. http://www.rheumatology.org/practice/clinical/patients/diseases_and_conditions/takayasusartritis.asp. Accessed Sept. 9, 2010.
- Ogino H, et al. Overview of late outcome of medical and surgical treatment for Takayasu arteritis. 2008;118:2738.
- Hunder GG. Classification of and approach to vasculitis in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 10, 2010.
- Hunder GG. Clinical features and diagnosis of Takayasu arteritis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 10, 2010.
- Hunder GG. Treatment of Takayasu arteritis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 10, 2010.
- Takayasu's arteritis. Vasculitis Foundation. http://www.vasculitisfoundation.org/takayasusarteritis. Accessed Sept. 14, 2010.
- Hauenstein E, et al. Takayasu's arteritis in pregnancy: Review of literature and discussion. Journal of Perinatal Medicine. 2010;38:55.
- McBane RD (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 26, 2010.
- Anderson CF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 17, 2010.
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