Angiographic diagnosis and interventional therapy for Takayasu arteritis

Objective: To explore the value of angiographic diagnosis and interventional therapy for Takayasu arteritis. Methods: Thirty-eight patients with Takayasu Arteritis (TA) (11 men, 27 woman; aged 8-54; average age, 30.5 ± 18) undergone angiography were analyzed retrospectively. The angiographic appearances in all of the patients were observed dynamically in a double blind method by two experienced radiologists together and formed a consensus interpretation. Results: According to the classification of Lupi-Herrea, type I was found in 11 cases, type II in 15, type III in 7 and type IV in 5 by angiography. Among 38 patients the arterial involvement included subclavian artery in 20 cases (52.6%), the abdominal aorta in 15 cases (39.5%), the renal artery in 14 cases (36.8%), thoracic aorta in 10 cases (26.3%), carotid artery in 9 cases (23.7%), iliac artery in 9 cases (23.7%), axillary artery in 7 cases (18.4%), superior mesenteric artery in 4 cases (10.5%), coronary artery in 3 cases (7.9%), pulmonary artery in 3 cases (7.9%), and so on. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was performed in 22 cases and the stent placement was managed in 12 cases successfully. Conclusions: Angiography is one of the ideal and reliable methods for the diagnosis and guidance of the interventional treatment for TA, and the latter is a mini-invasive and effective way for TA. (authors)