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Heart, section through the middle
Heart, section through the middle
OverviewSymptomsTreatmentPrevention

Takayasu arteritis

Alternative Names:
Pulseless disease

Treatment:

Treatment of Takayasu arteritis is difficult, but results with appropriate therapy are encouraging. Early detection is important. Steroids and immunosuppressive agents form the cornerstone of treatment, with surgery reserved for complications caused by narrowed arteries.

Surgery to bypass narrowed arteries may be necessary to supply blood beyond the constriction.



Expectations (prognosis):

This disease can be fatal. However, with a combination of aggressive medical and surgical therapy, mortality (death) rates have dropped dramatically. In well-managed cases of Takayasu arteritis, the long-term survival rate is greater than 90%.



Complications:


Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of this condition. Weak pulses, chest pain, and difficulty breathing indicate a need to be seen immediately.



Review Date: 5/30/2002
Reviewed By: Arinder Chadha, M.D., Rheumatology Department, State University of New York, Stony Brook, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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