Our Takayasu disease Main Article provides a comprehensive look at the who, what, when and how of Takayasu disease

Definition of Takayasu disease

Takayasu disease: A chronic inflammatory disease of the aorta and its branch arteries. The cause is unknown. The disease is most common in young women of Asian descent and usually begins between 10 and 30 years of age. Symptoms include painful, cool or blanched extremities, dizziness, headaches, chest and abdominal pain, and low-grade fever. The blood pressure is often high. The sedimentation rate (sed rate) may be elevated, reflecting inflammation. Anemia is frequent. The diagnosis is confirmed by an angiogram of the arteries (arteriogram) showing abnormally narrowed and constricted arteries. The disease is treated by suppressing the inflammation with cortisone medication. While most patients improve, some do not or relapse. In cortisone-resistant patients, immunosuppressive drugs may be used. Examples include prednisone, prednisolone, methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall), cyclosporine, cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), and azathioprine (Imuran). Strict control of elevated blood pressure (hypertension) is important.

Named for the Japanese ophthalmologist Michishige Takayasu (1860-1938) who described it in 1908. (Giovanni Battista Morgagni reported a case consistent with Takayasu disease in 1761.) Also known as Takayasu arteritis, Martorell syndrome, pulseless disease, and aortic arch syndrome.

Common Misspellings: takayasu diease, takayasu desease

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• prednisone, Deltasone, Liquid Pred - Defines the medication prednisone (Deltasone, Liquid Pred) a drug used for suppressing the immune system and inflammation. Article includes descriptions, uses, drug interaction, and side effects.
• Sedimentation Rate - Learn more about sedimentation rate, including a description of the test, how it is performed, and normal rate measurements.
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm - Learn about abdominal aortic aneurysms including how they tend to develop, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, how they are repaired, and what happens if they rupture.

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